Six Premier League clubs are rumoured to be interested in exploring the brand new Pakistani Football League.
That's according to a report by Daily Mail, which claims that the partnership could see the Pakistani clubs adopt the same shirt colours and nicknames as those they have twinned with in England.
Whilst the names of the six have yet to be revealed, the report understands that one club is from the 'Big Six' who expressed an interest in the European Super League earlier this year. It also says the other five clubs are from areas with a high Asian population.
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Should the partnership go ahead, it will be the first time that English clubs have been affiliated with another league in this way. The report has also confirmed that former Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen will be an ambassador for the PFL and that a launch at The London Stadium will take place at some point next month.
"Pakistan's football potential is huge and I am excited about identifying untapped talent in a nation of 220 million," Owen said, as quoted by Daily Mail. "I am looking to cross-promote and develop football between the UK and Pakistan through the first ever franchise model league."
The PFL will be run by Global Soccer Ventures, whose chief executive Zabe Khan was responsible for launching the country's first professional league, the Pakistan Premier League.
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"I am pleased to see Michael play a pivotal role in creating a new era of football in Pakistan," Khan commented. "This is a striking partnership to help Pakistan move the goal posts to international development of football."
Premier League clubs are said to hope the partnership can help them expand their brands and fanbases in an untapped market, as well as help them engage with their own local Asian community. The Pakistan teams will benefit from the expertise of their Premier League affiliates and potentially train at their facilities.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Premier League, Michael Owen