HOUSTON -- Rumors of Scottish international and Hibernian forward Derek Riordan’s move to MLS — and more specifically the Houston Dynamo — have been persistent in the British media throughout the week.
The Daily Record reported on Tuesday that the Dynamo made a three-year offer to bring the Scottish striker — whose contract at the Edinburgh club is up next week — to Houston this summer. But in a phone conversation on Friday with MLSsoccer.com, Dynamo president of business operations Chris Canetti refuted the claim.
“None whatsoever,” said Canetti when asked if it was true the Dynamo have an offer on the table. “I think it’s been publicized and understood that we had conversations with him, but we weren’t able to come to an agreement.”
Houston made offers to bring Riordan to Houston before the April transfer deadline, but according to Canetti the sides were “very far apart.” The difference was enough to push the Dynamo away from the negotiating table.
Reports have Riordan’s days at Hibs numbered with teams such as Crystal Palace and Watford linked to the striker. And while there has been no offer made since the previous negotiations, the Dynamo are still on that list of clubs keeping tabs on the forward.
“I will confirm that we’ve been in touch with his agents,” Canetti said. “We’ve been in touch, but they haven’t communicated that anything has changed at this point and we certainly have not made another offer.”
With the MLS summer transfer window opening in July, the Dynamo have stated since signing Koke that they’re open to making a summer move if it makes sense for the club. A proven goal-scorer for both Hibernian and Celtic, the 28-year-old Riordan — who is currently third all-time in goals scored in the Scottish Premier League with 95 — could certainly make sense for the club.
If it’s a good deal for both sides that is — something Canetti questions at this point.
“We decided the first time that we were too far apart and there’s been nothing yet to indicate that we’re any closer than last time,” Canetti said. “Unless circumstances have changed, I’m not sure anything can happen.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.
