McGlinchey – who is battling fatigue and rated a 50-50 to play in Thursday's match against Central Coast at North Sydney Oval – is keen to link up with Graham Arnold in Japan but has rebuffed the club's initial financial offer.

Ibini has begun training with the Mariners but his future remains up in the air until McGlinchey agrees his switch to the J-League.

“[Ibini] has been given permission by Shanghai to train with us and stay here for an extended period on compassionate leave. He lost his father a few weeks ago, so we're happy for him to train with us. He's part of the Mariners family,” said coach Phil Moss. “If it goes any further, I can't say at this stage. It's not finalised with Michael McGlinchey going to Japan, but if it does, it opens the opportunity for Bernie to come back on loan or permanently depending on what his agent can sort out with Shanghai.”

Moss said he was hopeful the impasse on McGlinchey's loan contract would be resolved soon.

“We know Bernie plays a similar position to “Mikey” and he knows our structures and the way we like to play,” he said. “That would make for a sensible swap. But as far as I'm aware, no personal terms have been finalised at this stage.”