City remain in possible takeover talks

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In a carefully-worded statement to the Stock Exchange, City failed to confirm they had received an offer from Ray Ranson which, given the strict financial rules which operate within the City of London, can only infer that no formal bid has been made.

However, it is believed Ranson will issue his own statement to the Stock Exchange later on Tuesday in which he will clarify his position.

As they are currently in an Offer Period, a City spokesman will now be required to read out a short statement to the media prior to every press conference, ensuring there is no repeat of last week's events, when manager Stuart Pearce indicated a deal was getting closer.

His statement triggered a movement of shares that did not go down well with the Stock Market, forming the basis for City's statement on Tuesday morning.

"The Board of Manchester City notes certain recent press articles attributing comments to manager Stuart Pearce regarding the possibility of an offer being made for the company," said the statement.

"Further to the company's announcements on December 7, 2006 and February 21, 2007, the board of Manchester City confirms that it remains in preliminary discussions with third parties that may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company."

City chairman John Wardle has been in discussions with various parties over the sale of his 29% stake in the club, owned jointly with business partner David Makin, although so far there has been no sign of a deal being concluded.

An unnamed American consortium currently seem best placed to complete a buyout of Wardle's shares but no announcement is imminent, while former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was also linked with a possible bid on Monday.

Shinawatra failed with a much-publicised attempt to buy Liverpool in 2004 but has since been ousted from office for alleged Human Rights abuses. It has previously been suggested the City hierarchy would not be interested in doing business with Ranson because they did not want the club saddled with further debt.