Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra remains confident of landing Barcelona star Ronaldinho, despite late interest from Luiz Felipe Scolari's Chelsea.

Ronaldinho said at the weekend that it would be a "pleasure" to become reunited with Portugal coach Scolari. The Barcelona playmaker was part of the 59-year-old's squad which won the World Cup six years ago.

City owner Thaksin, however, is hoping to steal a march on Chelsea's incoming coach, by tying up the two-time World Player of the Year's services before Scolari takes up his new post.

"We are still trying every day to convince him (to join the club)," Thaksin said in Bangkok. "The new manager is courting new players for the team. Football is going well."