But the former Thai prime minister hopes much of his outlay will be recouped in commercial deals.
In a year at the Eastlands helm, Shinawatra has spent £50m on players and sacked Sven Goran Eriksson - despite him getting the club into Europe.
New boss Mark Hughes has been told there is a lot of cash to spend this summer.
City's offer for Ronaldinho dwarfs the Premier League's current biggest pay deals.
England centre-backs Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United and Chelsea's John Terry both pocket £130,000 a week.
