Sources close to the club told beIN SPORTS Sainsbury will reunite with former Central Coast Mariners boss Graham Arnold at Sydney FC as the defender looks to remain match-fit for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in June.

Sainsbury was a keen observer during Sydney FC’s 2-2 draw against Newcastle, with this tweet on Wednesday.

The 25 year-old emerged as one of Australia’s best young defenders under the tutelage of Graham Arnold at the Central Coast Mariners, where he won the A-League Championship in 2013.

Since then, Sainsbury has gone on to play for PEC Zwolle, Italian giant Inter Milan and current side Jiangsu Suning, which is in off season until March.

When approached for comment by beIN SPORTS, a Sydney FC spokesperson refused to be drawn on Sainsbury’s transfer speculation.