LONDON: Manchester City on Saturday quashed speculation that they are in talks over the acquisition of a Major League Soccer franchise in the United States.

The English champions were reportedly close to being awarded a franchise that would be based in the Queens district of New York.

Rumours suggested former England captain David Beckham had been contacted to play a role with the new outfit, which was to be named New York City Football Club.

Further reports said the franchise would cost City owner Sheikh Mansour in the region of #100 million ($161.7 million, 122.8 million euros), but club officials said there was no truth to the story.

“Manchester City are not buying an MLS club,” said City in a brief statement.

City on Friday reported annual losses of #97.9 million, despite increased turnover of #231.1million.

New York already has one MLS team, the New York Red Bulls, but a second franchise is scheduled to be based in Queens, near the site of US Open tennis venue Flushing Meadow.