Beijing are keen for Griffiths to return but are reluctant to pay the $1 million transfer fee that Jets owner Con Constantine wants to buy out the final two years of the striker's contract.

They have forked out $500,000 for the first loan period and have until close of business today to take up the buy-out option.

Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas confirmed he had received two offers from Beijing which The Herald understands to be worth $300,000, but both were for loan periods when the original contract stipulated that a second transfer would be absolute.

"We are not interested in a loan deal," Tsatsimas said.

The proposed loan period would rule Griffiths out of the A-League finals and half of next season.

Griffiths featured prominently in the Socceroos' 2006 qualifying campaign and was on the bench for the win on penalties over Uruguay at Stadium Australia.

But when Guus Hiddink named the squad for Germany Griffiths, who was not playing regularly for Leeds United, missed out.

"It was a big disappointment but I knew it was coming," Griffiths said.

Griffiths's previous appearance for the Socceroos was in the 1-0 win over Ghana in May last year.

"I am more experienced now and they are short of strikers," he said.

Tsatsimas appreciated Griffiths's desire to enhance his World Cup prospects but said Constantine had to consider what was in the best interests of the club.

"Joel is a quality player, good for Newcastle and Con wants him back," he said. "I think the club has bent over backwards for him on a couple of occasions.

"We varied the original agreement to accommodate his request to go to Beijing where he made a few dollars and participated in a very successful side.

"I think the club has been very accommodating to date.

"We are not oblivious to other issues but we have to look at what is in the best interest of the club as well."

Griffiths is staying with family in Sydney after a fortnight on holiday in Byron Bay.