The Colorado Rapids appear close to adding another offensive player to its roster and that addition likely is up-and-coming scoring threat Martin Rivero, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder from Argentina.

While team officials would not confirm or deny an imminent signing of Rivero, team president Tim Hinchey has hinted that the club was negotiating with a “No. 10”-type player from Argentina, known as an offensive difference maker.

Rivero best fits that description among players known to have attracted the Rapids’ interest. He scored five goals over 41 games since 2008 for Rosario Central in the Santa Fe province — his only team. He first joined the team as a teenager in the Argentine first division, before the team was relegated in 2010 to the second division.

But Rivero’s stock rose last summer with a four-goal spree over 20 appearances.

He would be the latest in an offensive-heavy offseason makeover.

If Rivero signs, he would be at least the fourth new South American name added to the Rapids’ ranks since last season, after new coach Oscar Pareja, assistant coach Wilmer Cabrera, and play-making midfielder Jaime Castrillón. Castrillón arrived from Colombia, while MLS and U.S. national team veteran coaches Pareja and Cabrera have Colombian professional and national team time on their resumes as former players.

Last month, Rivero told reporters in Rosario that he was upset with Central management over his contract. Rivero did not train with the team in January and his name was removed from the team’s website. He also surfaced in rumors linking him in a move to Deportivo Cali in the Colombian first division.

But Hinchey announced last week that the team had a “P1 Visa now sorted, looking forward to our new 22-year old Argentine play maker to arrive by Hawaii.”

The Rapids are scheduled to train in Colorado through Saturday before leaving Sunday for preseson games in the Hawaiian Islands Invitational.

The team last week traded forward Macoumba Kandji to the Houston Dynamo for a conditional draft pick. Kandji scored Colorado’s game-winning goal in the 2010 MLS Cup final, but struggled through an injury last season. He was traded in a move that seemed to make room for another addition.

The team had said it would announce the signing today, but Hinchey tweeted Monday that the official announcement would be delayed until Tuesday.

More on The Terrace blog: Martin Rivero’s winding road to Colorado, as Rapids near signing him

Nick Groke: 303-954-1015 or ngroke@denverpost.com

