Manchester City owners in ‘advanced discussions’ to take over Ligue 2 side Nancy

Manchester City‘s owners are in ‘advanced discussions’ to take over Ligue 2 side Nancy. 

City Football Group are looking to strengthen their influence by purchasing the French side and have been in negotiations for months. 

According to France Football, the Abu Dhabi-backed sovereign fund and club are in ‘advanced discussions’ and have a strategy in place. 

City Football Group co-founder Khaldoon Al Mubarek has been in talks to take over Nancy

They would keep club president Jacques Rousselot at the helm for the next two seasons to maintain continuity. 

Nancy are currently 14th in Ligue 2 and there are reports that City Football Group see value in acquiring a French side after the recent bumper television rights deal. 

Mediapro are launching subscription channels off the back of their £674m-per-season investment in the live rights for eight games a week.

French side Nancy are in Ligue 2 and have been in talks with City Football Group since summer

Clearly this is of significant benefit for Ligue 1 sides to City Football Group would aim for rapid promotion to the top tier. 

The Manchester City owners already have a growing portfolio of clubs including New York City FC and Melbourne FC. They also have a minority stake in Girona. 

Talks between both parties are understood to have been initiated last summer over a possible deal.

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is extending his reach

The possible takeover would consolidate City Football Group’s position in Europe and take place against the backdrop of City’s two-year Champions League ban. 

UEFA claim City have breached financial fair play regulations and imposed the ban in addition to a £25million fine.

The club are appealing the decision and have taken their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.