Manchester City are close to paying $100m to create a new American team, calling it New York City and hiring David Beckham, according to reports in the US.
In a surprising development the Blues are said to be in advanced talks with officials at Major League Soccer (MLS) to buy a new franchise which will be based in Queens.
Business media company Bloomberg say that the club are also exploring other leagues around the world.
The fee is more than twice the record for an MLS team.
A stadium with a 25,000 capacity is expected to be built in the city to accommodate the new franchise at Corona Park in Flushing Meadows, which already hosts the home of tennis' US Open and Major League Baseball's New York Mets.
Former United star Beckham is currently without a club after his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy expired.
The report says his representatives have been contacted about an unspecified role.
It adds that part of the organisation would be offered to local investors.
Bloomberg said City's press officer was unaware of the plans when they called and that the MLS said talks were ongoing with a number of interested parties.
More soon.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1596243_manchester-city-close-to-paying-100m-to-create-new-american-team-calling-it-new-york-city-and-hiring-david-beckham-according-to-us-reports-?rss=yes&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+menews+%28Manchester+Evening+News+-+RSS+Feed%29
In a surprising development the Blues are said to be in advanced talks with officials at Major League Soccer (MLS) to buy a new franchise which will be based in Queens.
Business media company Bloomberg say that the club are also exploring other leagues around the world.
The fee is more than twice the record for an MLS team.
A stadium with a 25,000 capacity is expected to be built in the city to accommodate the new franchise at Corona Park in Flushing Meadows, which already hosts the home of tennis' US Open and Major League Baseball's New York Mets.
Former United star Beckham is currently without a club after his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy expired.
The report says his representatives have been contacted about an unspecified role.
It adds that part of the organisation would be offered to local investors.
Bloomberg said City's press officer was unaware of the plans when they called and that the MLS said talks were ongoing with a number of interested parties.
More soon.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1596243_manchester-city-close-to-paying-100m-to-create-new-american-team-calling-it-new-york-city-and-hiring-david-beckham-according-to-us-reports-?rss=yes&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+menews+%28Manchester+Evening+News+-+RSS+Feed%29