Mumbai City FC set to sign former France striker Anelka for ISL

Nicolas Anelka could be a part of the Indian Super League football tournament as Mumbai City FC's negotiations with the former France and Chelsea striker are at an "advanced" stage, it was reported on Thursday.

The 35-year-old Anelka has already been sent a contract and he is expected to make a decision soon.

"The talks are at a very advanced stage and if everything falls into place, he will in all likelihood be joining the Mumbai City FC roster soon," a source said.

Anelka, who has represented Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea, has been without a club since his controversial exit from West Brom earlier this year.

Reports in the British media, however, said that Anelka has signed a contract with Mumbai City FC till December. It also quoted the player's agent Alexander Garini denying speculation that Anelka could have joined Italian Serie A club Fiorentina.

"Fiorentina never made contact with Anelka. Anelka signed a deal with Mumbai FC and so there is no chance of a U-turn. The contract will expire on December 25th, I have it, so there are no problems," Garini was quoted as saying .

Anelka began his career at Paris Saint-Germain, but soon moved to Arsenal. Real Madrid signed him in 1999, before he returned to Paris Saint-Germain. He transferred to Chelsea from Bolton in 2008.

Anelka has played 69 times for the national team and won his first international honours with France at Euro 2000, and won the Confederations Cup the following year.

In June 2010, Anelka was omitted by the French Football Federation from the World Cup squad for comments directed against national coach Raymond Domenech.

Image: Nicolas Anelka

Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images