Manchester City want to set up a partners network with clubs around the world.

The Independent says the champions have been investigating partnering with clubs in China, Mexico, the United States and elsewhere in Asia, as a way of developing the City brand.

The partnerships would replicate a strategy Manchester United employed but later dropped, 15 years ago.

City chief executive Ferran Soriano declared in the club's annual report in December that "new, creative ideas and business models" would be required to undertake an "historic transformation" of the club and there is a feeling that North America may be the location for the most ambitious City partnership.