Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang have locked in on former Argentinean coach Jorge Sampaoli as their preferred choice to replace Bernd Schuster, who is on the verge of being sacked, according to Dalian Evening News.

Having arrived in March as the successor to Ma Lin following the Chinese veteran's dismissal, Schuster saved the newly promoted side from relegation on the last day of the season.

However, the German's position had been the source of speculation for some time with the Yifang hierarchy displeased with the team's wretched overall form and the poor results under the ex-Real Madrid boss.

It is understood that Yifang have sounded out the highly-rated Argentinian tactician Sampaoli, as well as Leonardo Jardim, the former AS Monaco manager as potential candidates to re-energize the club. Both Sampaoli and Jardim are out of work after leaving managerial posts earlier this year.

The Dalian newspaper revealed that Yifang general manager Zhou Jun traveled to France last month to negotiate with Jardim before heading to Spain to meet Sampaoli. But Jardim took his name out of consideration for the Chinese job and is expected to take the reins at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr instead.

Yifang, on the other hand, are reported to have made Sampaoli their priority and have made a lucrative proposal to the 58-year-old, who terminated his contract with Argentina after a disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign. 

Despite boasting the magical Lionel Messi, Argentina were dumped out at the last-16 stage following a 4-3 loss to Didier Deschamps' French side at the Kazan Arena.

Prior to taking charge of the Albicelestes, Sampaoli enjoyed success for both Spanish side Sevilla and Chile national team. Under the Argentinian, Sevilla finished fourth in La Liga in 2017, while the South American giants Chile claimed a Copa America title in 2015.