A MANCHESTER sports marketing company is looking to move up a league after announcing plans for a £10m stock market listing.

Trafford-based World Sports Solutions - which represents big name international football players such as Luis Figo, of Madrid, and Arsenal vice-captain Patrick Viera - said it expects to list on the Alternative Investment Market in the next few weeks following a reverse takeover of an existing AIM shell company.

Marketing director James Perry confirmed that talks are underway with Mottram - the AIM shell company set up by long-serving Manchester United director Michael Edelson - but was unable to comment further.

WSS founder and former managing director of Manchester United International Michael Farnan said the move was a sign of the company’s rapid success since being set up in August of last year.

‘‘For an Old Trafford company we have grown exceedingly quickly because we have filled a gap in the market. We are a new model sports marketing group because we have staff working in the core of the business rather than just as advisers.’’

Niche market

He said he stumbled on the idea for the company during his time at Manchester United.

‘‘While I was there I was responsible for the international expansion of the club as a brand and I realised there was a gap in the market because Manchester United was so ahead of everybody else in that respect. I thought if I could offer that service to other clubs, particularly in Europe, it would be a success.’’

Since then the group has signed several top soccer clubs - including Barcelona FC - and is preparing to announce a deal with a top English Premiership side later this week.

Diversification into motorsports earlier this year led to an exclusive deal with the Williams Formula One team and Mr Farnan said he is confident of the company’s ability to build it into a major global brand.

Other prestigious signings away from football include the World Offshore Powerboating Championship and Dunhill Links golf champion Paul Lawrie.

The group is currently looking into opportunities in rugby and horse racing.