PAIBOON Damrongchaitham, chairman of GMM Grammy, Thailand’s biggest music firm, will fly to England this weekend to discuss buying a 30 per cent stake in Liverpool, his spokesman said yesterday.
The bid replaces that of Thaksin Shinawatra, the Thai Prime Minister, who confirmed yesterday that his government had pulled out of talks after his plan to use state money rather than his personal fortune drew complaints in his country. Paiboon said his consortium could spend up to five billion baht (around £50 million) to buy the share in the club.
Birmingham City have agreed an undisclosed but “substantial” fee with Chelsea for Jesper Gronkjaer, the Denmark winger, and personal terms are being negotiated. Gronkjaer joined Chelsea for £7.8 million from Ajax four years ago, making 119 appearances and scoring ten goals. Darren Purse, the Birmingham defender, has completed a £750,000 move to West Bromwich Albion.
Birmingham are unconcerned at reports suggesting that Newcastle United have bid £2.75 million to buy out Steve Bruce’s managerial contract at St Andrew’s. Bruce has four years of his present deal to serve and David Gold, the co-owner of Birmingham, said: “Whether it is Newcastle, England or Manchester United, these links will keep appearing, but Steve is a man of character.”
Newcastle are negotiating with Marseilles, the side that beat them in the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup last season, to sign Mido on a season’s loan. A club official confirmed last night that talks have reached an advanced stage with the Egypt centre forward, though no deal has yet been completed.
Advertisement
“I have agreed terms with Newcastle and I hope Marseilles agree to finalise the transfer,” Mido said. “It’s a loan deal lasting a year, with a purchasing option at the end of it. I’m ecstatic. It has been a dream of mine to play in the Premiership and I’m close to realising it. I’m really excited about the whole thing.”