NEW YORK - New York City FC sporting director Claudio Reyna will travel to England next week to meet with the staff at Manchester City about Frank Lampard, and to find out of if the prized Designated Player will arrive on time in New York next month.
Lampard has been on loan with Premier League club Manchester City since September, and has thrived since his arrival. He’s scored five goals in 10 appearances across all competitions, prompting questions about whether either club would extend his loan beyond the beginning of NYCFC's preseason next month.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said last week that “if all parties agree, then maybe we can keep him.”
Reyna said at a fan event in New York on Friday that NYCFC are prepared to forge ahead without the longtime English captain if need be, but was still unsure how the situation will be resolved.
“Really,” Reyna said, “we don’t know."
NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis said he has tried to avoid having any expectations about the situation and that a decision will be made that is “best for Frank, best for Manchester City and best for New York City.”
Added Kreis: “At the end of the day, I have full trust in that decision and we will certainly live by whatever it is.”
Lampard said the Manchester City staff has been "very supportive" of NYFC so far, but that it will be a group decision between both clubs to decide when Lampard comes to New York.
“We have to make sure what’s right for the group," he said.
Reyna also indicated that NYCFC will be able to cope without Lampard if he arrives later than expected.
“Great players adjust and get to know each other really quick,” Reyna said. “I don’t think it would be a huge disadvantage if he is not here from day one.”
Kreis and his staff, meanwhile, recently embarked on a South American tour for nearly 20 days, taking in games in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador.
“We saw a lot of players, a lot of very interesting players,” Kreis said. “I’m hoping we will have some very fruitful news on that front in the next few weeks.”
Another player who has been rumored to be joining New York City FC is Ghanaian forward Godsway Donyoh. The 20-year-old currently plays for Falkenberg in Sweden, on loan from Manchester City.
Kreis said he went to Sweden in the spring to scout Donyoh. He has previously stated he may be able to bring over as many as four players on loan from Manchester City.
“Him being a young Manchester City player," Kreis said, "I think it’s a possibility.”
NYCFC announced Thursday they will train for 10 days in February at Manchester City’s soon-to-be-opened City Football Academy, a first team and youth development practice facility located next to City’s Etihad Stadium.
They will also play two friendly matches while in Manchester, but the opponents will be announced at a later date.
