New York City FC is preparing to reduce the average age of its squad by targeting younger recruits rather than an aging superstar to fill the designated player slot vacated by Frank Lampard's departure, sources have told ESPN FC.
Lampard, 38, will not be retained by the club, part of the City Football Group (CFG), after coming to the end of his MLS contract earlier this month.
The former Chelsea and England midfielder overcame a difficult start to his MLS career, having delayed his arrival in 2015 due to an extended loan spell with Manchester City, by scoring 12 goals in 19 games during the 2016 season.
But despite Lampard's eventual success this year, NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira and sporting director Claudio Reyna are keen to use his departure as the catalyst for the club's attempts to develop a younger squad, built around emerging talent and players in their late 20s and early 30s.
While NYCFC have not ruled out a move for a veteran global star in exceptional circumstances, should an unexpected opportunity arise, sources told ESPN FC that the club is keen introduce a younger player in the third DP slot alongside the 37-year-old Italian Andrea Pirlo and Spanish forward David Villa, who is 35 in December.
New York is determined to follow the blueprint laid down by CFG sister club Manchester City in terms of developing a squad based around high-quality youngsters.
Lampard, meanwhile, is considering offers from the British media to move into broadcasting, with Chelsea also keen to offer the player an ambassadorial role at Stamford Bridge following his hugely successful career at the club.