Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is favourite to buy Manchester City after he was granted access to the club's accounts.

Shinawatra's accountants will complete due diligence at City before advising their client whether to make a formal bid for the club.

Shinawatra has been heavily linked with a near £100 million move for the Eastlands outfit over the weekend and contact was finally made last night.

After failing in his efforts to buy Liverpool three years ago, Shinawatra has not been put off getting involved in the Premiership and sees City as an ideal opportunity.

Given the reluctance among senior figures within the club's hierarchy to negotiate with former player Ray Ranson, Shinawatra would appear well placed if he decides to pursue the matter.

Shinawatra is currently living in London after being ousted from office in a military coup last year.

He was first linked with the Premiership three years ago when he made a £65 million bid to buy Liverpool but the club rejected his proposals.

Liverpool were also condemned at the time, by groups such as Amnesty International, for entering into negotiations with Shinawatra due to his human rights record as prime minister.

Shinawatra, a billionaire tycoon who made his fortune in telecommunications, went on to win a second term in 2005 but has been in exile since the coup last year.

Shinawatra has made greater headway than Ranson in attempts to buy the club, with the former City defender as yet receiving no response to his revised offer last week.

Speculation over Ranson's bid has also seen the club linked with a move to bring in Sam Allardyce, who resigned at Bolton this week, as manager.

Current manager Stuart Pearce's position is under threat after a disappointing season on the field.