15 Dec 2008Manchester City look for record sponsorship deal

Football Sponsors/ Sponsorship and Media

Manchester City are reportedly hoping to sign a record sponsorship deal with Etihad, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.

The club is said to be engaged in talks which have been described as "very early" as it looks to find a sponsor to replace its £2.3 million-per-year deal with Thomas Cook, which expires next summer.

The airline has links with City's mega-rich owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, and is thought to be interested in increasing its profile through a deal with the Eastlands side.

Indeed, City are seemingly in a position where their marketability is set to go through the roof, as they are the world's richest club.

In addition, their profile will surely be raised further when the January transfer window opens, with a host of big-name signings expected.

If the deal with Etihad goes through, it is believed that it will become the largest in English football, eclipsing rivals Manchester United's £56.5m, four-year deal with insurance firm AIG.

City have not won a major honour since 1976, when they clinched the League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.

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