EXCLUSIVE: City board keen to Thai up a deal for Barca superstar Ronaldinho

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Sportsmail revealed on Saturday that City owner Thaksin Shinawatra had identified the 28-year-old Barcelona forward as a somewhat improbable transfer target for next season.

And although it seems unfeasible that City could find the money to sign Ronaldinho — even if the player agreed — Thaksin is pressing on with early negotiations and reserved a place for De Assis in the directors' box at the City of Manchester Stadium for the game against Chelsea.

Thaksin is not in the country and has left the task of courting Ronaldinho and his brother to his close aides and board members Pairoj Piempongsant and Tawesuk Jack Srisumrid.

These two, along with agent Pini Zahavi, have been talking to De Assis in the last week and it is understood they continued their dialogue at a restaurant in the city after the match.

Despite public denials, City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is aware of Thaksin's pursuit of Ronaldinho — even though he privately feels the deal has little chance of coming off.

Eriksson said: "I hope it's true. We're not protesting against that, but I've never heard that myself.

"I don't know if he wants to play in the UEFA Cup next season!"

It is understood Zahavi planted the idea of signing Ronaldinho in Thaksin's mind as he searches for a superstar who will fill his stadium.

Nevertheless, it remains likely that Ronaldinho — out of action at Barcelona with a thigh injury — will leave for Italy in the summer, with Milan his most likely destination.

It is understood De Assis was encouraging Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon to enter the bidding and he also had a long discussion with Avram Grant's assistant Henk ten Cate, who he knows well from the coach's time at Barcelona.

However, Grant has recently let it be known the club's interest in Ronaldinho is over.