Saint Etienne are due to announce a formal partnership with Manchester City.

The deal has been driven by City EDS coach Patrick Vieira.

Saint Etienne president Bernard Caiazzo said: "Our sporting director Dominique Rocheteau has already met Manchester City's people five times.

"It all looks very serious. City have been impressed by our talent for producing players of Champions League standard.

"Name me another club that has yielded as many players in the past 18 months who are regulars for top sides in Europe."

Saint-Etienne academy has recently produced Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma, Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam and Wolfsburg midfielder Josuha Guilavogui.