Manchester City Set To Invest In ISL’s Mumbai City FC

According to reports in Indian publication Khel Now, City Football Group (CFG), the owners of Manchester City, are set to buy stakes in the Mumbai-based club. The report adds that the Premier League side’s owners had shown their interest in, as early as, 2014 but it seems the deal can come to fruition now.

“The CFG is very close to buying a stake in Mumbai City FC and talks are at the final stage. This deal is set to change the dynamics of Indian football,” a source close to Khel Now told them.

CFG’s Chief Executive Ferran Soriano had told Khel Now in March that they have been on the lookout for a team in countries like India and China, which can help them widen their reach across the globe.

“We have some interest in some markets and countries where there is a genuine football passion and opportunities, like China, but also India. So there might be other opportunities in Asia. We’ve been looking at India for nearly two years now. I’d say this year we’ll end up doing an investment in India,” he revealed to Khel Now.

Former Spain international and World Cup winner David Villa, who currently plies his trade with J-League club Vissel Kobe, is reportedly going to be Mumbai City FC’s first signing under the new ownership.