MIAMI: Spanish giants Barcelona are to launch a bid to become co-owners of a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami, the Catalan club said on Tuesday.

Barca will announce details of their aim to bring the MLS back to South Florida in Miami on Wednesday, they said on their website (http://www.fcbarcelona.com/).

"The idea is to set up an investee company involving FC Barcelona and a Bolivian entrepreneur living in Miami, Marcelo Claure, who is the chief of an investment group featuring Americans and citizens of different South American countries," the statement said.