New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is keen on following Manchester City’s model and is considering the possibility of building a network of clubs.

Manchester City set the template when their Abu Dhabi owners formed the City Football Group; a portfolio of clubs which includes three other European teams – Spain’s Girona, Belgium’s Lommel and French side Troyes – as part of a network including sides from 11 different countries.

According to a report by the Guardian, Chelsea co-owner, Todd Boehly has begun the process of finding suitable network clubs for the west London club, with a focus on teams in Belgium and Portugal. That interest is designed to help Chelsea facilitate the signing of talents from those regions, while the club have also reportedly seen a proposal turned down by Brazilian side Santos.

Boehly has reportedly sought the advice of super-agent Jorge Mendes, for counsel on which Portuguese side to potentially affiliate with.

The Guardian adds that Liverpool and Arsenal are also planning multi-club networks. 

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, already own the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins, but are keen to add further football clubs to their sporting portfolio.