Striker N. Thanabalan is one of several Malaysian players who caught the eye of Thai League (T1) clubs during last month's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.
From next season, T1 teams have an allocated slot in their starting lineup for a player from the ASEAN region, in addition to the current allowance for three foreign players and one from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
According to MVP Sport Agency's talent director Hafizan Halim, the on-loan Felcra FC man is one of six Malaysians who Thai scouts took an interest in as a result of their SEA Games performances. They had also watched them at July's Bangkok qualifiers for the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China in January.
Striker Thanabalan netted four times for the Harimau Malaya U22 side in their run to the final, where they lost 1-0 to Thailand.
Thanabalan's Felcra teammate and skipper of the U22 side Adib Zainudin is another who may become a target for Thai clubs. The others are understood to be defender Adam Nor Azlin of Selangor, Penang midfielder Syamer Kutty Abba and striker Abba Jafri Firdaus Chew and Pahang midfielder Nor Azam Azih.
"There are a few top Thai clubs who have made enquiries regarding our young players who starred at the KL SEA Games," Hafizan told Harian Metro.
"These clubs were attracted by our players' abilities and are interested in holding talks with them. Before the SEA Games, these clubs' talent scouts came to see our players at the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers in Bangkok in July.
"However the players did not play so well then, as they lost to the hosts 3-0. This time round, the talent scouts are showing more interest in our players after their strong performances in the SEA Games."
The New Straits Times reported that Hafizan did not specify the teams showing an interest, but indicated that they were based in Bangkok and Chonburi. He admitted that the new allocation for ASEAN players was a boost given the current strength of T1 compared to other countries in the region.
"This is a welcome development, especially for our players if they are able to get a place with a T1 club because the Thais have the best football league in the region," Hafizan said.
Negeri Sembilan-born Thanabalan has yet to earn a senior cap for Malaysia, despite having scored 13 goals in 16 appearances for the U22 and U23 sides.