Man City dismiss MLS franchise rumours

LONDON (AFP) –

Manchester City‘s striker Carlos Tevez (centre), midfielder Gareth Barry (left) and defender Matija Nastasic (right) after the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 9, 2012. City quashed speculation they are in talks over the acquisition of a Major League Soccer franchise in the US.

Manchester City on Saturday quashed speculation that they are in talks over the acquisition of a Major League Soccer franchise in the United States.

The English champions were reportedly close to being awarded a franchise that would be based in the Queens district of New York.

Rumours suggested former England captain David Beckham had been contacted to play a role with the new outfit, which was to be named New York City Football Club.

Further reports said the franchise would cost City owner Sheikh Mansour in the region of £100 million ($161.7 million, 122.8 million euros), but club officials said there was no truth to the story.

“Manchester City are not buying an MLS club,” said City in a brief statement.

City on Friday reported annual losses of £97.9 million, despite increased turnover of £231.1million.

New York already has one MLS team, the New York Red Bulls, but a second franchise is scheduled to be based in Queens, near the site of US Open tennis venue Flushing Meadow.