Will Usain Bolt finally fulfill his dream of becoming a pro footballer? CREDIT: REUTERS
The A-League side announced on Tuesday that they were talking to the Jamaican - the world's fastest man during a glittering athletics career that yielded eight Olympic golds.
Bolt, 32 next month and retired from the track, has never hidden his ambitions to become a footballer and has previously trained with Borussia Dortmund and Stromsgodset.
The Mariners are the latest club willing to try to make his dreams a reality, with a six-week trial in the offing.
"(Head coach) Mike Mulvey's perspective is that Usain would be treated like any other trialist that comes in," club CEO Shaun Mielekamp said.
"There can be no losers here. Usain can come and trial and if he's no good then they'll give him some good feedback to where he can improve.
"If he does come and perform then great. From the coach's perspective, there's only upshot here and opportunity."
Usain Bolt has trained with several big European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund CREDIT: REUTERS
Bolt is a huge Manchester United fan, although his ultimate hopes of wearing the red shirt appear somewhat slim. He did, however, play at Old Trafford as part of Soccer Aid last month.
"It's really been Usain's own personal drive and a real ambition to get this to happen that's surprised, everybody. So, it's really been about him becoming a professional footballer," Mielekamp added.
"That's why they've identified the Hyundai A-League is the best league for Usain.
"They've had offers from MLS and other leagues but the fit hasn't been there. It's either been too gimmicky or not at the level he wants."
Based 50 miles outside of Sydney, the Mariners finished bottom of the A-League last season, at one stage losing 11 games in a row. On Monday they announced former Manchester United assistant Mike Phelan as their new sporting director.
Head coach Mulvey is a former Manchester United academy player, having been born in the city, with ex-Sheffield United midfielder Nick Montgomery his assistant.
Mielekamp says Bolt will need to relocate to the area for the duration of any trial.
"He would have to come, live here on the coast, and be treated like every other player, like any other trialist," Mielekamp added on the club's official website.
"He would do the same community visits that every other player does and he's aware of that, and if at any stage they indicate that's not what they're here for, we'll walk away."
For all the excitement the story has generated - Mielekamp claims he has already had approaches relating to international sponsorship - he encouraged caution, saying: "It's important not to get ahead of ourselves.
"You can't even comprehend how big it is. We won't know until it happens. It may not happen. We've just got to keep a very level-headed approach to us."
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