With AC Milan pulling out of the running to sign the Brazilian superstar, City appeared to be edging closer to landing their man but the appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as Chelsea boss has brought fresh speculation that Ronaldinho could be heading for Stamford Bridge instead.

"We are still trying to convince him to join the club every day," Dr Thaksin said.

"The new manager is courting new players for the team. The football is going well."

Hughes is still deciding whether to complete the record £20million capture of Ronaldinho's fellow countryman Jo from CSKA Moscow, although skipper Richard Dunne is thought to be on the verge of signing a contract extension after looking certain to leave in the wake of Sven-Goran Eriksson's dismissal.

It is hoped Dunne's presence will help persuade England internationals Joe Hart and Micah Richards, plus midfield prospect Michael Johnson, that their futures lie with City as well.

Hughes is certainly looking to bring in new faces, although with City's opponents for their UEFA Cup qualifying tie due to be confirmed on June 27, time is starting to tick away.

"We have got less than a month now and there are a few issues we need to address," Hughes told www.mcfc.co.uk.

"It's a bit difficult at the moment because people are away, and the training ground is not working as it would do during the season anyway.

"We will have to wait a little bit to see who does what, which door opens into where and how we can make the way things will run as smooth as possible."