In a post in the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page, Tunku Ismail said he does not have the money to buy the club, which is currently debt-ridden.

“I’m not like other Malaysian businessmen. I’m just a young man with a dream and big ambitions, that’s all,” he posted.

He said AC Milan was just a club he has adored since he was young.

“My club JDT can’t even beat Kedah and other Malaysian teams. I’m not going to take Milan having to go head on with Juventus and other Italian giants. I simply dare not.”

The rumours came about after Tunku Ismail was quoted telling Singapore daily The Straits Times that he was interested to buy AC Milan if he could, and said the intended purchase was now at a “research and discussion” stage.

Recently, Malaysian businessman Noordin Ahmad bought a 50 per cent stake in Serie B club Bari 1908. Other Malaysian businessmen who own foreign football clubs are Tony Fernandes and Vincent Tan, who own English clubs Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City respectively.