Al-Fahim will shoot for Blue Moon to get Ronaldo
The deadline-day signing of Chelsea target Robinho for a British record transfer fee has already gone some way to underlining the grand intentions of Sulaiman Al-Fahim and his partners from the Abu Dhabi United Group.
But any move for Manchester United superstar Ronaldo would be an indication City are deadly serious in their stated aim of becoming the world’s number one team.
“Ronaldo has said he wants to play for the biggest club in the world, so we will see in January if he is serious,” Al-Fahim told The Guardian.
“Real Madrid were estimating his value at $160m, but for a player like that, to actually get him, will cost a lot more; I would think $240m (€165m).
“But why not? We are going to be the biggest club in the world, bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United.
“We’re not just going to spend money on anyone, but if we can get the biggest players in the world, and of course if the manager wants them, then we will get them.
“We want a team who can win the Champions League,” he added.
Al-Fahim also confirmed his interest in Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and Arsenal lynchpin Cesc Fabregas and is looking to acquire a “minimum” of 18 new players.
City made a last-ditch bid for Dimitar Berbatov yesterday but rivals United succeeded in signing the Bulgarian striker from Tottenham.
Manager Mark Hughes today met Robinho for the first time, as the Brazilian jetted in from Spain after ending his spell at Real Madrid.
“I hope to bring a lot of joy to the supporters,” Robinho said.
City manager Mark Hughes expects the impact of Robinho at Eastlands to have a significant effect on his squad.
“He brings a breadth of quality into the squad,” he said. “If you can add the quality of the likes of Robinho then immediately the whole team has a lift, a positive lift.
“That can help lift performances right through the squad. Irrespective of how we play him, he’ll have an impact.”
Hughes believes the new cash injection available from the Abu Dhabi group will see the club elevated to a new level in world football.
“It’s a fantastic time for everybody connected with Manchester City,” said Hughes. “It’s just the start of the things we’re trying to make happen.”
The City manager added: “It’s a huge statement of intent. A lot of credit has got to go to Dr Thaksin (Shinawatra, the club’s current chairman and owner) for being able to bring the Abu Dhabi company to the table and this huge investment that is going to go forward.
“They wanted to present something to the people of Manchester and they have been able to do that.
“If we’re going to get to the places we want to get to we are going to have to compete against outstanding teams. We have to attract world-class players and that is what we have done.
“He is an exceptional talent and opposition teams are going to fear him."
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