John Hackworth says club officials are working hard to bring Maurice Edu to Philadelphia Union.
The 27-year old midfielder is on the outer at Stoke City and determined to gain regular game time in a bid to force his way into the USA squad for this summer's World Cup.
It was believed earlier this week that MLS was trying to put a block on any potential move for the former Toronto FC and Rangers man but Union president Nick Sakiewicz played down those suggestions to SI.com.
"There's zero truth to the rumor that the league is blocking this," he said. "It's like any negotiation. Sometimes you put an offer out and the other party says no, and you have to be prepared to walk away.
"One party gets back to the table, and it's not dissimilar to any negotiation in business as part of that give-and-take routine."
Philly boss Hackworth was still positive about the potential capture of Edu, who has played for the US on 45 occasions, and told ESPN that he was still pursuing a transfer.
} "We're all working really hard at it. I'm an optimist, so I think something very good is going to come out of this," he said.
"I know the league, ourselves, and Mo and his representatives, we're all doing all we can to make this work."
