Aberdeen turn down offers from agents of Nacho Novo and Derek Riordan

CRAIG Brown insists Nacho Novo was a no-go for Aberdeen as the Red Army would have been up in arms if they had signed the former Rangers striker.

Novo is currently back home in Spain with Sporting Gijon, but his agent offered the veteran manager the chance to sign the player.

Brown is in the market for a front man after Scotland international Chris Maguire left for Derby County, but immediately ruled out what would have been a highly controversial move.

The Spanish hitman has certainly made an impact at Pittodrie in the past but for all the wrong reasons as far as Dons fans are concerned. He was sent off at the venue for a shocking challenge on Stuart Duff in May 2008 on a dramatic last night of the season when Celtic clinched the SPL title at Tannadice.

Then he was fined 500 and severely censured by the SFA for making a one-fingered gesture to the Aberdeen supporters following another stormy match at Pittodrie in November 2009.

Novo had also infuriated Dons fans at the end of one of the most explosive fixtures in Scottish football by flashing his buttocks at them on the way off the park at the end of that match.

Brown said: "We had a striker offered to us, but as soon as I heard the name I knew we couldn't bring him to Aberdeen.

"He's an ex-Rangers player who I am told has a bit of previous with our supporters and that wouldn't work. I am not going to bring someone here that would anger the fans as we want to make them happy and proud of this club and its players."

Brown also rejected the chance to sign Derek Riordan after contact from the former Hibs striker's agent, but he is determined to keep adding to the squad.

The Aberdeen manager hasn't entirely given up hope that Sone Aluko will return to the club despite being out of contract. The Nigeria international wants to return to England, but has been invited to train with the Dons once he recovers from playing in the Olympic qualifying competition.

The winger is expected to net the Pittodrie club 200,000 in compensation if he does move, but Brown would rather keep him. He added: "We have spoken to Sone and he is back from Nigeria and quite properly needs a rest at the moment. He has been playing in Olympic qualifiers for his country, but we have offered him the chance to come and train with us if he wants.

"What I can say is that we haven't withdrawn the offer that we made to him because we had to do that to cover ourselves in terms of compensation. There is a time limit on things, but if he does want to come back here then at this stage we would still be open to that happening."Former Dons defender Zander Diamond will try to earn a move to England by spending a week training with Oldham Athletic.

His proposed switch to Hearts was cancelled earlier this month, but former Scotland striker Paul Dickov, who is in charge at Boundary Park, wants to have a look at the player.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen won their first pre-season friendly against Second Division Brechin last night, recording a 3-1 victory at Glebe Park. Mitch Megginson, trialist Patrick Bengondo and Darren Mackie all scored in the first half for the Dons with David McKenna grabbing a consolation for Brechin.