Leicester City Football Club owners promise cash for new players

[davieG]

From the Merc

The new owner of Leicester City says he is committed to funding new players to get the club into the Premier League.

However, Thai businessman Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn, known as Top, has ruled out a spending splurge.

The 25-year-old multi-millionaire's son has also pledged not to raise ticket prices.

He said he was aware of the tough financial times being faced by the fans.

A standard adult ticket bought online for today's home match against Middlesbrough would cost £30.

A club spokesman said Top and his father, Vichai, 52, were prepared to make money available to manager Paulo Sousa to build the squad.

He said: "They will commit new funds.

"We know the media and fans like to see big numbers quoted, but financiers always say that in business one of the most dangerous moments is when large investments and cash are injected.

"We will sit down over the coming days and months and consult within the club and with Paulo Sousa about future financial requirements and then consider the best way forward."

[Jon the Hat]

I like a sensible measured approach.

[davieG]

I like a sensible measured approach.

bettsj2 wont be happy.

[Webbo]

I'm going to put away my cyncism for a while and just hope these guys are on the level.

[FrankieADZ]

good to see investment will be coming to the squad,

[Narborough_fox]

The 25-year-old multi-millionaire's son has also pledged not to raise ticket prices.

This is the most important part.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

I too, like the sensible approach regarding spending.

[MPH]

What the bloody chuffin nora!!! 82 threads in the transfer forum and we get the cautious approach! We could of signed 80 players this summer if the newspapers are to be believed!

Thai boy out!

Hmm

[Bettsj2]

bettsj2 wont be happy.

Mwahahahaha!!

After todays game i'm more than happy. If we play like that all the time I dont care how muc we spend. Absolutely first class.

[stix]

Sky Sports

'a different quality of player'

Hmmmm.....whats akinbiyi up to nowadays?!

[Guest]

Sky Sports

'a different quality of player'

Hmmmm.....whats akinbiyi up to nowadays?!

By 'different quality' I don't think he meant 'shit'

[Wdywd]

So he's committed to spending money, but also isn't going to spend money.

What a superb article.

[stix]

By 'different quality' I don't think he meant 'shit'

I know-stupid fooking iphone wont let me put emoticons on here! There would of been a winking thumbs up thingy at the end if i could of.

[MPH]

I know-stupid fooking iphone wont let me put emoticons on here! There would of been a winking thumbs up thingy at the end if i could of.

I'm on my android you can do Emoticons manually, : thumbup : without the spaces.

[MC Prussian]

I doesn't state what currency we'll be using for this investment.

[Jon25747]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11712_6315787,00.html

Leicester City's new owners will back boss Paulo Sousa in the transfer market before the current window closes.

Sousa has been given guarantees by the Asian Football Investments consortium, headed by Thai businessman Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn, who took control of the club on Thursday.

While the Portuguese has not yet been given details of his new budget, he will be able to add 'some different quality' to his squad.

Sousa, who has already recruited five players this summer, said: "I have spoke to them and they have told me they will support me.

"I don't know yet what kind of budget I will have but I know they have guaranteed to support me in adding some extra players to the squad and to add some different quality to the squad than we have already, so we are stronger as a squad and a club."

He added: "When I met (chairman) Milan(Mandaric) he was open and he told me what could happen. He told me about the people and they would agree to support me.

"When they concluded the deal, I had already spoken to them and they have guaranteed me all the support to help me to improve this club."

[davieG]

From the Merc:

Leicester City’s new Thai owner, Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn, is prepared to pay ‘Top’ dollar to reach the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The 25-year-old, who is known as ‘Top’, will back City boss Paulo Sousa in the transfer-market.

A source close to the consortium told me that Sousa could “conceivably have four or five million to spend”, although Top himself refused to reveal the precise transfer-kitty.

A plethora of names have already been linked to Leicester, including Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham and Manchester City’s out-of-favour Welsh striker Craig Bellamy.

Whittingham would be a tremendous, if unlikely, coup. The top scorer in the Championship last season is widely expected to join Nottingham Forrest for about £2.5m.

A source at Manchester City told me Bellamy is weighing up offers from Cardiff and Fulham, but there has been no approach from Leicester.

However, Bellamy's team-mate Kelvin Etuhu could plausibly return to Leicester on loan. The Nigerian winger had a relatively unsuccessful spell back in 2008, but has developed considerably since then.

Other realistic targets apparently include Stoke’s Amdy Faye, who is available on a free transfer, Reading’s Jimmy Kebe (valued at £1.5m) and Swansea’s Angel Rangel. The Spanish right-back has a bargain price-tag of £750k but is also wanted by Blackpool.

All three would be welcome additions but it’s Sousa’s decision to keep DJ Campbell that will prove to be his best piece of business. I will pledge to be Filbert Fox for the day if DJ doesn’t score at least 20 goals this season.

Clearly, there is constant drama at City right now, but the fact that chairman Milan Mandaric and chief executive Lee Hoos are staying on should ensure vital stability in rapidly changing and exciting times.

With a £39m Thai takeover, a first foreign manager and 12 goals in the opening three games, one could easily be forgiven for dubbing Leicester the real-life Harchester United… an ironic nickname given the Dragons were originally based on the Foxes!

[Tommy G]

if we are serious about promotion then we shouldn't be letting the likes of whittingham go to Forest. Surely we can ow compete with them financially in the market?

I would love Whittingham here, and it would be another dissapointment, along with Koren if he went to another Championship club.

If players like that are going to other clubs then it shows we still can't compete in the transfer market even with the new investment

[Ric Flair]

From the Merc:

Leicester City’s new Thai owner, Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn, is prepared to pay ‘Top’ dollar to reach the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The 25-year-old, who is known as ‘Top’, will back City boss Paulo Sousa in the transfer-market.

A source close to the consortium told me that Sousa could “conceivably have four or five million to spend”, although Top himself refused to reveal the precise transfer-kitty.

A plethora of names have already been linked to Leicester, including Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham and Manchester City’s out-of-favour Welsh striker Craig Bellamy.

Whittingham would be a tremendous, if unlikely, coup. The top scorer in the Championship last season is widely expected to join Nottingham Forrest for about £2.5m.

A source at Manchester City told me Bellamy is weighing up offers from Cardiff and Fulham, but there has been no approach from Leicester.

However, Bellamy's team-mate Kelvin Etuhu could plausibly return to Leicester on loan. The Nigerian winger had a relatively unsuccessful spell back in 2008, but has developed considerably since then.

Other realistic targets apparently include Stoke’s Amdy Faye, who is available on a free transfer, Reading’s Jimmy Kebe (valued at £1.5m) and Swansea’s Angel Rangel. The Spanish right-back has a bargain price-tag of £750k but is also wanted by Blackpool.

All three would be welcome additions but it’s Sousa’s decision to keep DJ Campbell that will prove to be his best piece of business. I will pledge to be Filbert Fox for the day if DJ doesn’t score at least 20 goals this season.

Clearly, there is constant drama at City right now, but the fact that chairman Milan Mandaric and chief executive Lee Hoos are staying on should ensure vital stability in rapidly changing and exciting times.

With a £39m Thai takeover, a first foreign manager and 12 goals in the opening three games, one could easily be forgiven for dubbing Leicester the real-life Harchester United… an ironic nickname given the Dragons were originally based on the Foxes!

That article is embarrassing.

[ibbosuk]

From the Merc:

Leicester City's new Thai owner, Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn, is prepared to pay 'Top' dollar to reach the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The 25-year-old, who is known as 'Top', will back City boss Paulo Sousa in the transfer-market.

A source close to the consortium told me that Sousa could "conceivably have four or five million to spend", although Top himself refused to reveal the precise transfer-kitty.

A plethora of names have already been linked to Leicester, including Cardiff's Peter Whittingham and Manchester City's out-of-favour Welsh striker Craig Bellamy.

Whittingham would be a tremendous, if unlikely, coup. The top scorer in the Championship last season is widely expected to join Nottingham Forrest for about £2.5m.

A source at Manchester City told me Bellamy is weighing up offers from Cardiff and Fulham, but there has been no approach from Leicester.

However, Bellamy's team-mate Kelvin Etuhu could plausibly return to Leicester on loan. The Nigerian winger had a relatively unsuccessful spell back in 2008, but has developed considerably since then.

Other realistic targets apparently include Stoke's Amdy Faye, who is available on a free transfer, Reading's Jimmy Kebe (valued at £1.5m) and Swansea's Angel Rangel. The Spanish right-back has a bargain price-tag of £750k but is also wanted by Blackpool.

All three would be welcome additions but it's Sousa's decision to keep DJ Campbell that will prove to be his best piece of business. I will pledge to be Filbert Fox for the day if DJ doesn't score at least 20 goals this season.

Clearly, there is constant drama at City right now, but the fact that chairman Milan Mandaric and chief executive Lee Hoos are staying on should ensure vital stability in rapidly changing and exciting times.

With a £39m Thai takeover, a first foreign manager and 12 goals in the opening three games, one could easily be forgiven for dubbing Leicester the real-life Harchester United… an ironic nickname given the Dragons were originally based on the Foxes!

OH DEAR !!

Most of the names mentioned here would be a total and utter waste of money......

[Bettsj2]

if we are serious about promotion then we shouldn't be letting the likes of whittingham go to Forest. Surely we can ow compete with them financially in the market?

I would love Whittingham here, and it would be another dissapointment, along with Koren if he went to another Championship club.

If players like that are going to other clubs then it shows we still can't compete in the transfer market even with the new investment

Agree.

We should be aiming for a higher calibre of player now to make a decent fist of a promotion push.

Looking at the team on Saturday, if Whittingham came in for Oakley that would basically complete the midfield and Jon Walters from Ipswich is available. I'd like to see him come in and replace Dyer in the 4-3-3.

Whilst both Oakley and Dyer have performed well, these two players would improve the team. If we're serious about promotion, we can't hold back on those sort of decisions.

[Bluefoxtim]

Kelvin Etuhu

[Guest Basildon Fox]

That Mercury report is about as close to the truth as football rumours. What did they do? Get their 10 yr old son to write it? Just a series of random names and as if we are going after Bellamy when it states that we have 4-5 million to spend. I doubt you would even get him for that.

[Guest Bilo]

From the Merc:

Leicester City’s new Thai owner, Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn, is prepared to pay ‘Top’ dollar to reach the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The 25-year-old, who is known as ‘Top’, will back City boss Paulo Sousa in the transfer-market.

A source close to the consortium told me that Sousa could “conceivably have four or five million to spend”, although Top himself refused to reveal the precise transfer-kitty.

A plethora of names have already been linked to Leicester, including Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham and Manchester City’s out-of-favour Welsh striker Craig Bellamy.

Whittingham would be a tremendous, if unlikely, coup. The top scorer in the Championship last season is widely expected to join Nottingham Forrest for about £2.5m.

A source at Manchester City told me Bellamy is weighing up offers from Cardiff and Fulham, but there has been no approach from Leicester.

However, Bellamy's team-mate Kelvin Etuhu could plausibly return to Leicester on loan. The Nigerian winger had a relatively unsuccessful spell back in 2008, but has developed considerably since then.

Other realistic targets apparently include Stoke’s Amdy Faye, who is available on a free transfer, Reading’s Jimmy Kebe (valued at £1.5m) and Swansea’s Angel Rangel. The Spanish right-back has a bargain price-tag of £750k but is also wanted by Blackpool.

All three would be welcome additions but it’s Sousa’s decision to keep DJ Campbell that will prove to be his best piece of business. I will pledge to be Filbert Fox for the day if DJ doesn’t score at least 20 goals this season.

Clearly, there is constant drama at City right now, but the fact that chairman Milan Mandaric and chief executive Lee Hoos are staying on should ensure vital stability in rapidly changing and exciting times.

With a £39m Thai takeover, a first foreign manager and 12 goals in the opening three games, one could easily be forgiven for dubbing Leicester the real-life Harchester United… an ironic nickname given the Dragons were originally based on the Foxes!

Never knew Nuneaton Fox worked for the Mercury.

[Leicester_Loyal]

Pretty rubbish article, although at least we are being connected with money spending.