Muscat, 50, signed off as boss of J1 League Yokohama F. Marinos in midweek - the 3-0 Asian Champions League win over CSL outfit Shandong providing a preview of what fans in China might expect from the attack-minded mentor.

With a place in the last 16 of the competition secured, a J1 title last season and a Japanese Super Cup this year, Muscat’s legacy at the club is formidable, even though they fell just short to Vissel Kobe in this season’s title race.

Muscat’s deeds in Japan attracted interested from across Europe, elsewhere on the J1 League and across Asia, with Port moving swiftly, according to multiple media outlets in China and Japan, to make their mouth-watering offer.

Though the one-time cash-crazy CSL has been surpassed by Saudi Arabia as a lucrative destination for big name imports, it remains a market where foreigners can cash in, hence Muscat’s interest in a deal which is structured as an initial year, with an option for a second if certain benchmarks are met.

Title-winning Spaniard Javier Pereira has moved on after just 10 months in charge, having led the club to their second domestic crown (the first came in 2018), paving the way for Muscat to take the mantle in a deal which will dwarf his wages at Marinos, even if prestige-wise it appears a sideways step for the Ange Postecoglou protege.

Muscat coached against Port back in 2018 when he led Melbourne Victory to a surprise 2-1 win over the Chinese giants.

Port’s current squad includes a smattering of imports, the most high profile of which is former Chelsea and Brazil star Oscar.