MUMBAI: In what promises to be a huge boost for Indian football , Premier League giants Manchester City are set to invest in Indian Super League (ISL) club Mumbai City FC . TOI can confirm that the side, co-owned by film actor Ranbir Kapoor , has been in talks with Manchester City over the past eight months.

“The deal has almost been finalized. It will likely come into effect from next season,” an ISL source told TOI.

It is not known whether the English team wants to completely buy out the club, or seeks a partnership. Mumbai City officials remained tight-lipped, even refusing to comment on whether such talks have even taken place.

Manchester City officials had attended an ISL match between Jamshedpur and Mumbai last season and were in India for Mumbai’s first home game this season.

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano set social media abuzz on Monday by saying his team were considering buying a club in India. “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,” he told the British media. “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 added.

City Football Group has seven clubs under them after buying a stake in Chinese third-tier side Sichuan Jiuniu FC in February. The group also owns or has shares in New York City FC (MLS), Melbourne City FC (A-League), Girona (LaLiga), Club Atletico Torque (Uruguay) and Yokohama F Marinos (J League).

The Mumbai club has been facing financial strain and decided to cut costs this season. They are currently being coached by Portuguese Jorge Costa and have made it to the semi-finals of the league. They face FC Goa in their first-leg home match at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday.

