Chinese news agency sina.com.cn is running a story claiming the under-performing CSL side have made an offer to the double Premiership winning A-League coach.

Translations of the story suggest Arnold is quoted as saying he has been offered the coaching role with R&F and has told them he will get back to them in two days.

"In fact, I have received an invitation from a CSL club, called GuangZhou R&F, they’re awaiting for my response after two days,” he is quoted as telling locals after the pre-match press conference.

It claims he said his contract with the Mariners ends in two weeks and that he was previously offered a similar job in Japan but the timing was wrong for his family. Arnold now has a grown up daughter.

Today though, the Mariners insisted there was no substance to the Chinese story and that Arnold had not spoken to anyone apart from the routine press conference where the subject was not raised.

The Mariners also said Arnold still had another full year on his contract to run, not an optional extension.

But when Arnold confirmed he was staying at Gosford this season and not moving to Sydney FC after two years at Bluetongue, he said he would only be seeing out his existing three year contract.

“Two years ago I signed a three year contract with the Mariners," Arnold said last May.

"I have decided to see that three year term out because of the loyalty and respect I have for the players, the Chairman, the staff and all the supporters."

Guangzhou R&F are one of the better-funded clubs in the Chinese Super League but last year finished only seventh - overshadowed by crosstown Champions, Guangzhou Evergrande - and putting the pressure on Brazilian coach Sergio Farias.

It's currently home for former Mariner Rostyn Griffiths who earned the Central Coast side a $1m transfer fee when he moved to China last year, the highest price tag in A-League history.

However Arnold has previously spoken of his desire to make the switch to coaching in Japan's J.League.

Before joining the Mariners - while still Olyroos and assistant Socceroos coach - he admitted four years ago: "My goals are that I'd like to go back overseas. As a coach.

"We're in Asia and the connection with Australia is very healthy and move somewhere into Japan, the premier league of Asia, that would be a nice place to start."

Quizzed on whether that would mean coaching a J-League side against an A-League team in the Asian Champions League and Arnold smiled and said: "Let's hope so." 

The Mariners face Guizhou Renhe tonight in their latest ACL clash against the side they beat 2-1 at home just last week.

The original article on sina.com.cn is here and a translation can be found here