well become the English Premier League 's highest paid player . Shinawatra , who sent previous manager Sven-Goran Eriksson packing at the end of last season , despite a marked upturn in the team 's fortunes , said last week : `` Ronaldinho - you know , he is a great player . Whatever the club in your heart , you would want to see this player in England , would n't you ? `` It is not a risk . Sponsors will contribute . It will not damage our wage structure . '' New manager Hughes knows that he will be expected to produce instant results . Shinawatra said : `` I am 59 next birthday , so I am not a man who can wait for many years to see my dreams come true . '' Ronaldinho had a poor season in Spain but City 's owner said : `` Ronaldinho is 28 . He has much still to offer , he is a star . You need a combination of new players , existing players , quality , young and old . `` I admit also you need a player who is more than just winning the
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Manchester City have sent representatives to Brazil in the hope of persuading Ronaldinho to sign for them . A move to City could make Ronaldinho the Premier League 's highest paid player . City chairman Garry Cook told BBC Radio Five Live on Sunday that Ronaldinho 's Spanish club Barcelona had given City permission to speak to the player about a move to Eastlands . `` We have people in Brazil , '' said Cook . `` We are nowhere near completing a deal It 's a tenuous stage and I do n't want to give too much away , but Barcelona gave us clearance to talk to him . `` Ronaldinho wants to show that he is one of the greatest footballers in the world . The Manchester City fans would love to see him kick off the new season with us and I am holding out hope on that happening . '' City owner Shinawatra Thaksin is thought to be ready to provide # 50 million -LRB- $ 98.47 million -RRB- for new manager Mark Hughes to sign players , with around $ 29.5 million set aside to bring in Ronaldinho , who could