The 25-year-old defender is in limbo with his six-month loan at Italian giants Internazionale coming to an end, having been squeezed out at Jiangsu in January following the change of the Chinese Super League’s foreign player rules.

Sainsbury still has 18 months to run on his Jiangsu contract but doesn’t know where he stands with the Chinese big spenders who are without a coach given their poor start to the season which sees them one spot above the drop zone.

Jiangsu were linked with ex-Fiorentina and Leicester City boss Paulo Sousa this week but the deal didn't materialise.

Former England and Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello has since signed an 18-month contract, reportedly worth €10million.

Capello named boss of Chinese Super League club

“I’m not sure what’s happening anymore,” Sainsbury said.

“My club has had a little bit of contact with my agent and we’ll wait and see.

“We’ve got a long time to go between now and the end of the Confeds Cup so anything can happen.”

Sainsbury said spending six months in Serie A “can only help him” if the Italian is appointed coach.

He also argued his time in Milan was beneficial to him, despite only playing once when handed 20 minutes off the bench on the final day of the Serie A season.

 “I’ve seen what it’s like at the very top, the crème de la crème,” Sainsbury said.

“It’s always going to be good for me. I can’t speak for other players, but for me I think it’s definitely benefited my football.

“It’s horses for courses. Some players can do it, some players can’t.”