Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has brought Manchester City's signing of English midfielder Frank Lampard into question, suggesting whether it is a method Manuel Pellegrini's side can avoid Financial Fair Play (FFP).
The English Premier League champions officially revealed that the former Chelsea star will join them on a six-month loan from the Citizen's sister club, New York FC, until the club kicks off their Major League Soccer campaign in March.
The Manchester side, alongside New York City FC and Melbourne City, are owned by holding company City Football Group, who also boast a minority share holding in Japanese side Yokohama Marinos.
"Lampard’s move to Manchester City is a surprise as after the statements we heard, it looks like all these “City” clubs will feed the main club," Wenger explained.
"I heard they want to buy five clubs all around the world. I don’t know the rules well enough.
"They bought the New York franchise for $100m in the States to play next season and at [the] moment the players they sign cannot play until next year.
Wenger questions whether Man City's signing of Frank Lampard on a six-month loan is a way around FFP
The Englishman will move to the Etihad from his current MLS side New York City FC, the Citizens' sister club
The 36-year-old midfielder will be registered in Manchester City's Champions League squad, where he will be counted as a homegrown player, one out of the five UEFA require. This will prove handy for the Citzens, with the Manchester side juggling a 21-man Champions Leaugue squad restriction, due to FFP breaches.
"They will register in the clubs where they will put them and they can get out on loan. Is it a way to get around (financial) fair play? I don’t know."
Many wondered whether Lampard's move will be seen as a betrayal to his club of thirteen years, London club Chelsea, but Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho disagrees.
"He is a free agent he can choose his club so I have no problem at all,’ Mourinho said.
"When he comes to Stamford Bridge he is welcome. When he comes to the Emirates…. He is at the Emirates. There is no problem."
Chelsea will welcome the move of their all-time leading goalscorer to Man City, says Mourinho
