Manchester City have reportedly tried to persuade Frank Lampard to join the club on loan for the start of the Premier League season.

The former Chelsea midfielder has joined the Premier League champions' newly-formed Major League Soccer franchise New York City, but they will not start competing until next year.

According to The Mirror, Manuel Pellegrini has approached the 36-year-old, and is confident that they will be able to complete the deal in the next two weeks.

The report also claims that Lampard would sit out the match between City and Chelsea on September 21 as he does not want to damage his relationship with his former club's fans.