Two of the world’s most influential clubs have called for a European Super League to replace the Champions League.
Juventus and Bayern Munich believe the continent’s elite clubs will break away to form a competition that exists outside domestic structures.
If such plans make progress, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and the Manchester clubs could expect to be invited.
Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rumenigge said: “In the future, I can see a tournament consisting of 20 teams from Italy, England, Spain, Germany and France.
“It is an idea born some time ago. I see that in the top five leagues in Europe, the big teams are always getting stronger and stronger.
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“A super league outside of the Champions League is being born. It will either be led by UEFA or by a separate entity, because there is a limit to how much money can be made.”
Juventus president Andrea Agnelli echoed Rumenigge’s words, arguing that top football clubs should be able to make as much money as their counterparts in American sports.
He said: “The Champions League is worth €1.5 billion (£1.1bn) in TV rights against nearly €7bn (£5.2bn) that the Super Bowl is worth, despite market research telling us that there are 1.6 billion football fans and only 150 million NFL fans.
“This should make us review the untapped potential within the current format of football. We operate in an industry that is heavily regulated.
“TV rights are brokered by UEFA at the household level and at European level. You need to protect shareholders of the club, who are the real stakeholders.”
