Thaksin told reporters on Wednesday he had talked to Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, who also owns luxury west London department store Harrods, during his holiday in Britain when he saw the shock 3-1 win over United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"I met Al Fayed over the weekend and teased him that I was interested in buying Fulham and he told me to come back to talk to him when I was seriously interested," Thaksin said.

"We are studying how Brazil has developed its kids to become good football players and we would like to inspire our children to be rising stars of the Premier League," said Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon.

He said he was interested in buying Fulham and, although he had not made a decision, finding the money would not be a problem.

"I will invite businesspeople and the public to join the purchase. The price isn't a problem. It will cost a few pennies."