Manchester City's owners look set to add to their growing football empire, as takeover talks with Ligue 2 side Nancy reach advanced stages.
The City Football Group are keen to increase their expanding club portfolio by welcoming the French outfit on board, and negotiations have been ongoing for several months.
Those in charge of Man City already own a vast array of teams including New York City and Melbourne FC, as well as having shares in Spanish second division side Girona.
Nancy currently occupy 14th position in the French second-tier – closer to relegation than promotion – but achieving Ligue 1 status would be the top priority for the incoming owners.
The Dubai based consortium want continuity, and France Football report that current Nancy president
"The club’s sale is moving forward well and things have even accelerated and intensified with the City Football Group, who are very precise and very meticulous in their analysis of the club. We’ll see, but it’s premature to announce anything," he told the French media outlet.
It is thought that part of the reason for the acquisition lies in reports that TV rights in French football are on the rise, and City's investors want a piece of the action.
According to the Daily Mail, Mediapro are revamping French football and proposing a subscription service that would see up to eight Ligue 1 games televised live per week.
The lure of a mega-television deal is no doubt tempting to the City Football Group, but they also see it as the perfect opportunity to improve their reputation on the continent.
If the proposed purchase does go ahead, then it would take place amid Man City's appeal against their recent two year UEFA ban from all European competition, including the Champions League.
Source : 90min