MANCHESTER City were taken over by a multi-billionaire Arab consortium yesterday and at once launched a series of audacious transfer bids.

They snatched Real Madrids Brazil ace Robinho from under Chelseas noses for a British record £33million and put in an offer for Spurs Dimitar Berbatov.

City also revealed they had lodged bids for Valencia striker David Villa and Stuttgarts Mario Gomez.

New boss ... Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim

The Eastlands outfit were poised to become the worlds richest football club after the £220million takeover.

The group of Gulf businessmen promised they had a very deep pocket.

The buyers, Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, are reportedly worth between £650billion and £800billion compared to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovichs £11.7billion.

The takeover deal was struck late on Sunday with Citys previous owner, the controversy-dogged ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Old boss ... Thaksin Shinawatra

The group is fronted by Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, the Arab worlds answer to Sir Alan Sugar. He said: Our goal is simple to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League. We are trying to be in the top four this season and will buy whatever is needed.

The property developer said of his group: We have a deep pocket, we really have. It is very deep.

In his Arab headdress Al Fahim, 31, will be a colourful addition to the Premier League. He made his cash in the United Arab Emiratess property boom on the back of soaring oil prices.

He is a former child chess champ who fronts his own Apprentice-style reality TV show and is known for getting what he wants.

Al Fahim began working as a boy in his dads pharmacy, was investing on the stock market at 14 and buying property at 15.

Ten years ago he was devastated when his parents and brother died in a car crash. He moved to the US, married and had three kids.

He likes the limelight and has been seen out with celebs including Leonardo DiCaprio and Demi Moore.

Thaksin bought City for £81.6 million in 2007 but his assets in Thailand were frozen and he came to Britain to escape corruption charges. He will remain on Citys board.