Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the scope of the collaboration with City Football Group, which owns Manchester City, is still under discussion.

But he said any collaboration with City will not clash with the Football Association of Malaysia’s deal last month with Japan FA (JFA) to cooperate in developing talent and coaching activities.

Syed Saddiq was speaking at a press conference following a visit by the club’s CEO, Ferran Soriano today.

City, owned by Emirati royal Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also own several football teams around the globe including Melbourne City FC and New York City FC.

Syed Saddiq said this would be the first time the club was making its foray into South East Asia.

“Hopefully, Malaysia is the destination of choice and will be the base for South East Asia,” he said.

Soriano meanwhile spoke on the enthusiasm of Malaysian football fans, as well as Putrajaya’s investment to develop the football scene in the last few years.

“As a global football organisation we would like to explore opportunities to do things together with the Malaysian football family.

“While we don’t know exactly what it is, what is clear is that the next decade, Malaysian football is going to grow significantly.”