Manchester City plan to build new football club in New York

If reports in the Manchester Evening News are to be believed today, Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners are looking to create the New York City Football Club who would be introduced to the Major League Soccer leagues in 2016.

Now, correct me if I am wrong but there are more important issues at hand with the Citizens squandering their Premier League title back to Manchester United with an array of feeble displays this season.

The €100m deal to buy the franchise seems hefty enough, but when you combine the fact that the City bosses are ready to hand out another €340m for a 25,000-seater stadium at Corona Park in Flushing Meadows, then you start to ponder where the future of football lies.

Keeping it as 'a big surprise' the City chiefs have refused to comment on the whole charade, but a spokesman for the MLS has admitted that there are in advanced talks.

He said: "While we are making progress on the New York expansion team, we have not finalised the ownership agreement."

Maybe Sheikh Mansour has made a shrewd move in unearthing the MLS potential, or perhaps the owners have had enough of Roberto Mancini and co and are looking for a more peaceful life in the Big Apple. Either way, fans of the Etihad club are sure to have mixed reactions.

At least one positive for the supporters is that the club can send their deadwood to New York. Trip to the U S of A, Mr Sinclair?