The return of Vincent Kompany to Belgium could be the first step in a link-up between Manchester City and Anderlecht.
Sportsmail can reveal City have been in talks with Anderlecht for months about setting up an informal arrangement.
As part of it, the Belgian side would become one of City's clubs of choice when they send young players out on loan.
In his open letter explaining his decision, the 33-year-old revealed how Anderlecht sports director Michael Verschueren and technical director Frank Arnesen had sold him their vision for the club in talks during the season.
City have also discussed a tie-up with former Chelsea and Tottenham director Arnesen. They believe the Belgian league is an ideal place to expose promising youngsters to senior football.
Sportsmail understands the idea of identifying and buying young players — who City believe are not quite ready but could make the grade in the future — and loaning them to Anderlecht to develop has cropped up in talks.
If the player progresses as expected, City would recall him. City insist they are not purchasing Anderlecht and adding them to their City Football Group stable.
The CFG is made up of Manchester City, MLS side New York City, Australia's Melbourne City, Japanese outfit Yokohama Marinos, Uruguay's Club Atletico Torque, Spain's Girona and Chinese club Sichuan Jiuniu.
Along with Dutch side NAC Breda, they also have affiliate clubs in America, Spain and Venezuela.
City's head of sports science Sam Erith is likely to reject a role with Kompany at Anderlecht.
Head of academy coaching Simon Davies is weighing up an offer to make the switch to the Belgian club's first-team set-up.
Former City defender Joleon Lescott, who is part of the backroom team supporting young players out on loan, said he had spoken to Kompany about sharing players.