This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Central Coast insist it is business as usual for Usain Bolt, who is mulling whether to take up an offer in Malta or continue chasing an A-League contract.

Reigning Maltese champions Valletta FC, boasting cash to splash after investors from the UAE recently took charge of the club and vowed to fund a charge towards the Champions League, have reportedly offered Bolt a two-year contract.

Bolt, who has been training in Gosford for almost two months as part of a timeless trial, is attempting to make the transformation from eight-time Olympic gold medallist to professional footballer.

Usain Bolt scores first two goals in bid to become a professional footballer Read more

The Mariners have insisted at every stage it is a long-term project. January had been floated as the probable deadline for a final decision as Bolt tries to rise to A-League standard.

But interest from overseas after Bolt’s brace in a trial game, and the prospect of a lucrative no-strings-attached deal, has made those discussions more complex.

“Usain Bolt will continue his indefinite training period with the Central Coast Mariners until any further notice,” Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The club will be making no comment on media speculation regarding the future of Usain Bolt. Full focus for the Mariners remains on our round-one away trip to face the Brisbane Roar.”

Valletta managing director and CEO Ghasston Slimen told ESPN they hoped to have Bolt on board in time for a Maltese Super Cup match on 13 December. “A champion is always welcome and at Valletta FC we believe nothing is impossible,” Slimen said.

Football Federation Australia chief David Gallop admitted “the story on the contract in Europe is news to me”.

“It’s very much, the ball in the Mariners’ court,” Gallop told Macquarie Sports Radio. “He’s clearly improving and it was great he got a couple of goals.”

Gallop reaffirmed the Mariners will not be allowed to dip into the league’s marquee fund to sign Bolt as its purpose was to attract proven world-class players, such as Melbourne Victory marquee Keisuke Honda.

“We don’t want to compromise what that’s put in place for,” he said. But Gallop is open to FFA considering other ways, such as marketing arrangements and facilitating third-party sponsorships, they can help the Mariners complete a deal with Bolt.

“If they get to that [signing] point then we’ll look at what’s feasible,” he said.

Bolt indicated in August he turned down offers from Spanish and French clubs because they weren’t “in the top division” and he’d have to learn a new language.

Coach Mike Mulvey has previously laughed off the prospect of the 100m world record holder becoming a distraction, repeatedly noting the superstar will ease the pressure on players in his full-time squad.

Bolt’s contract status remains a subject of global intrigue as the Mariners prepare to start their A-League campaign on Sunday against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.

A clip of Bolt’s first goal against Macarthur South West United, uploaded on the Mariners’ Twitter account, has been viewed more than six million times.