Manchester City’s billionaire owners are close to adding La Liga outfit Girona to their expanding stable of clubs.

The City Football Group (CFG) have agreed a deal that will see them become joint owners of the Catalan club alongside Media Base, the agency owned by City manager Pep Guardiola’s brother, Pere.

The process is expected to be formally completed within the next fortnight and will give CFG and Media Base a near 50 per cent share each in the club. The remaining small stake is held by Girona supporters. CFG have had strong ties with Girona for several years now.

Girona will become the sixth club in the CFG stable after Manchester City, Major League Soccer franchise New York City FC, Australian A-League side Melbourne City FC, Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos and Club Atletico Torque in Uruguay.

City’s owners are also exploring the possibility of purchasing a club in China and have a close partnership with NAC Breda in Holland.