CITY IN TURMOIL AFTER THAKSIN RETURN

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to request political asylum in England after refusing to travel to Thailand this weekend to face corruption charges.

The 59-year-old former Thailand prime minister and his wife Pojaman, who are on bail over corruption charges, were due to return to their homeland in time to answer court in a separate property case.

Thaksin, who has always insisted the charges are politically motivated, said in a statement: "My wife and I will stay in England where democracy is more important.

"What happened to me and my family and my close relations resulted from efforts to get rid of me from politics."

If Shinawatra does request asylum then it is likely that the Thai authorities will seize his £800million assets - a ruling that is likely to have a devastating impact on Mark Hughes' hopes of making a significant splash in the transfer market before August 31.

According to The Daily Mail, 'Thaksin is now exploring ways of selling City and it is now understood that he has held talks with one interested party about selling a minority stake. However, no progress has been made.'