A MITCH Nichols sale could spark a transfer merry-go-round with no less than six, mainly disgruntled Asian-based players considering a January A-League return.

As was revealed this week, Japanese side Cerezo Osaka launched a second and possibly final $350,000-plus bid for the Melbourne Victory player last weekend.

It's understood Victory is considering the offer after rejecting Cerezo's initial $200,000 bid.

Joel and Ryan Griffiths, former Brisbane Roar midfielder Erik Paartalu (Tianjin Teda, China) and former Central Coast Mariner Rostyn Griffiths (Guangzhou R&F, China) are among the Asian-based players are being shopped around to A-League clubs.

Former Melbourne Heart defender Michael Marrone (Shanghai Shenxin) and former Victory defender Daniel Mullen (Dalian Aerbin) would also consider returning it's understood.

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Of the aforementioned players only Ryan and Rostyn Griffiths are uncontracted, but it's believed that the clubs of the other four may consider loan deals.

Attacker Nathan Burns could be subject to A-League bids - he will return to Korean club Incheon United after his loan spell at Newcastle Jets finishes on January 11 while defender Brendan Hamill's status at Seongnam is unclear as he returns from a loan with fellow Koreans Gangwon.

Ryan Griffiths, 32, could be Burns' replacement having begun training with his former club Newcastle after finishing his spell with Chinese club Beijing Baxy while brother Joel is eyeing a return just six months after breaking his Sydney FC contract to join Chinese club Qingdao Jonoon.

Even if it elects not to sell Nichols Victory may look to dip into the transfer market as it faces a defensive crisis this week and possibly beyond, with Adrian Leijer (suspended) missing along with Olyroos trip Nick Ansell, Scott Galloway and Jason Geria.

But Archie Thompson returned to the track yesterday and looks set to return after Tweeting that he had pulled up well.

"Another good session on the pitch. Looking good for newy,'' Thompson said.

Sydney FC, Central Coast, Brisbane, Perth and Newcastle are all looking to strengthen their squads in January but bottom-place Melbourne Heart said they were unlikely to do business with marquee Orlando Engelaar and midfielder Jonatan Germano set to return by the end of the month.

"We've basically got two new recruits starting with us this month, guys who haven't featured at all and a couple of young guys who haven't played much who continue to improve so unless players leave in this window we're unlikely to bring anyone in,'' football manager John Didulica said.