Sydney FC are determined to end the rut of Australian teams in Asia by bolstering their stocks in the January transfer window with a high-calibre Asian forward specifically for their Asian Champions League campaign.

The club's coach, Graham Arnold, revealed Sydney are looking to make the unusual step of splashing the cash on an experienced foreign player who will not take any part in the A-League, but only the continental competition. It means any potential signing of an Asian player next month won't be affected by the salary cap constraints, with Sydney FC having no intention of using their new addition in the domestic competition opening the door for the club to build a squad capable of vying for two titles concurrently.

Player decision: Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold is searching for a marquee signing from Asia. Credit:AAP

The Asian Football Confederation regulations allow clubs to register only four foreigners in their squad for the Asian Champions League, one of which is reserved for an Asian player. With four foreigners already on the books, Arnold will have to omit one of Milos Ninkovic, Bobo, Adrian Mierzejewski and Jordy Buijs from his squad for the ACL and is looking to balance that with the acquisition of another wide-attacking option from Asia.

"We're looking. I've got my video analysis team working hard to find what's available," Arnold said. "We'll take that opportunity and then go to the board and then the process will start to see if the club is going to back that decision of bringing someone in just for the Champions League."