Thailand’s billionaire prime minister is considering making a bid for Fulham.
Thaksin Shinawatra has just returned from a four-day trip to Britain, where he watched the Cottagers’ 3-1 Premiership defeat of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Fulham, who are owned by Harrods store boss Mohamad Al Fayed, announced yearly losses of £33.6m on 28 April.
“I’m considering this, but I still haven’t decided. It shouldn’t take too long to decide. ‘Yes’ or ‘no’ has to be fast, not slow,” said Shinawatra.
He added that he was “so impressed with some of Fulham’s star players”.
Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon whose business is now in the hands of his family, went to England immediately after hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Fulham, who are managed by 39-year-old Chris Coleman and are playing at QPR’s Loftus Road, have made an excellent start to the season and are fifth in the Premiership table.
Thaksin told reporters on Wednesday he had talked to Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, who also owns luxury west London department store Harrods, during his holiday in Britain when he saw the shock 3-1 win over United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
“I met Al Fayed over the weekend and teased him that I was interested in buying Fulham and he told me to come back to talk to him when I was seriously interested,” Thaksin said.
“We are studying how Brazil has developed its kids to become good football players and we would like to inspire our children to be rising stars of the premier league,” said Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon.
He said he was interested in buying Fulham and, although he had not made a decision, finding the money would not be a problem.
“I will invite businesspeople and the public to join the purchase. The price isn’t a problem. It will cost a few pennies.”
