Bournemouth owner Bill Foley is on track to expand his club network.

Foley's umbrella company, Black Knight Football Entertainment, now owns the Cherries and Lorient.

The American is bidding for an A-League franchise to be based in New Zealand.

The Daily Echo says Foley is now in a period of exclusivity to finalise his plans for the NZ club licence.

The Auckland team would be the second NZ club in the A-League alongside the Wellington Phoenix.