North, still contracted to Tromso in Norway, had been offered a three-year deal by Wellington Phoenix report O Kosmos columnists Tony and Xanthie Rallis.

If accepted, would've seen him slot into the centre of the Kiwis' defence alongside former Jets teammate Andrew Durante.

But North is currently in Beijing and hoping this Asian stint will be better than his last with Incheon United in South Korea. North struggled to adapt to the K-League club after signing from the Jets via North Queensland Fury in 2008.

It's understood Phoenix boss Ricki Herbert has a plan B should  North choose Beijing over Wellington.

In other A-League news, former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets defender Nik Tsattalios is set to trial with Adelaide United. He would've been in the Reds camp earlier but an injury has delayed the youngster's arrival.

And fringe Socceroo striker Bruce Djite from Turkish club Genclerbirligi was approached last Saturday by A-League club Melbourne Victory. The former Reds man is currently on loan at Diyarbakirspor.