The BBC said Manchester City were in "advanced discussions" that could lead to an offer being made for the English Premier League football club, adding it would release a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

Thaksin's lawyer, Noppadon Pattama, said the deal was proceeding "well" but declined to comment on the report.

"So far I learn that the deal is proceeding well. (But) I can't give any details on this issue. Thaksin instructed me not to talk about this matter unless it's final," Noppadon told AFP. "I think when the deal is concluded, we will have a press conference here," he said without elaborating further.

Last month Noppadon confirmed Thaksin had submitted his bid to buy Manchester City. The takeover deal is estimated at around 100 million pounds (197 million dollars).

Thaksin, 57, is considered the front-runner in the Manchester City takeover. He was ousted by a military coup in September last year and currently lives in London.

Last week Thailand's Constitutional Tribunal disbanded Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party and barred him and 110 senior party leaders from politics for five years due to election law violations.

In 2004 Thaksin, an avid football fan, led a Thai consortium that tried to buy a 30 percent stake in Liverpool, angering fans who wanted to keep the team in British hands.

The bid eventually fell through, though Liverpool now has American owners.