Manchester City’s owners add Istanbul Basaksehir to growing empire after announcing 'football collaboration’ with Turkish club

The Turkish club announced it had signed this agreement with CFG which will aim for "growth and success." Under the agreement, CFG will provide Basaksehir with guidance on transfers, academy development and data-driven insights. The group will also offer support with player screening and football strategy.

CFG is already the majority or co-owner of several clubs across the world. Most notably, the group owns Manchester City and Girona. Under the CFG ownership there have been success stories in City's treble winners and Girona's shock La Liga title challenge. However, there has been criticism for the handling of Troyes who were relegated from Ligue 1 and have been used as a tool to sign Savio for Manchester City - despite the club-record signing never appearing for the French club.

Club president Goksel Gumusdag said in a statement: "Istanbul Basaksehir FK has achieved many firsts in Turkish football despite its young age and today, with this collaboration with the leading football group in the world, it marks another milestone for Istanbul Basaksehir and Turkish football,” Gumusdag said.

"From the very beginning, we have reiterated at every opportunity that our vision and goals are different and today underlines this expression again. We are very happy, proud and excited.

"I would like to thank all the people in City Football Group for their approach and support in the process. I hope it will be beneficial for Basaksehir FK and Turkish football.”

CFG's statement read: “The agreement will see CFG will provide consultation across various footballing projects — including long-term football strategy, recruitment, scouting and coaching methodology — as IBFK (Basaksehir) aim to grow and strive for success.

“In turn, the collaboration will help CFG grow knowledge and develop relationships in Turkey, an ambitious football nation and developer of talent. This will also provide CFG with an opportunity to collaborate across emerging football areas with a club that has a shared vision.”

Basaksehir may be optimistic that with the help of CFG, they will climb back to the top of the Turkish Super Lig just as Man City and Girona have done. However, there may be some cause for worry given how other CFG clubs have fared under the group's guidance.