Reports in Brazil say that Bahia are very close to becoming the latest member of the City Football Group.
Bahia to Join City Football Group
Brazilian Serie B side Bahia are set to become Palermo's successor as the latest acquisition of the City Football Group. The club president was recently spotted at Manchester City's Champions League fixture against Dortmund, likely in the advanced stages of negotiations before the City Group make a formal proposal to Bahia.
Palermo Join City Football Group
Bahia will be the first City Group-owned club in Brazil and the second in South America, after Montevideo Torque. Club Bolivar from Bolivia are also a "partner club". With the aim of a unified brand image in mind, the City Football Group have changed the crest and colours of a number of the clubs they have bought, introducing a roundel shaped badge and/or sky blue shirts in many cases.
Bahia's current in-house home an away kits.
Brazilian newspaper Correio 24 Horas have firmly stated that Bahia will keep their current badge and blue, red and white shirts even after the buyout, which will surely be a relief for the fans. One change that could happen is the arrival of Puma as technical sponsor, although there may be some complications there.
City Football Group have a deal in place with Puma, who sponsor most of their teams, but there are exceptions as shown above in the infographic made by @mantosdofutebol. The MLS's deal with Adidas means New York City FC have no choice but to wear the Three Stripes, while Lommel SK, Troyes and Yokahama F. Marinos have been allowed to continue their existing deals with their respective brands even after being bought out by the City Football Group.
Puma, however, also have an exclusivity agreement with Palmeiras, meaning they can't sign any other deals in Brazil. Reneging on such an deal would not go down well and could possibly result in them losing Palmeiras, so there are defintely obstacles to a deal with Bahia.
Palmeiras 22-23 Commemorative Kit Released
What do you think of City Football Group's constant expansion? Would you like to see Bahia switch to Puma when the deal goes through? Comment below.