The Portland Timbers have offered a one-year deal loan deal to Argentine midfielder Diego Valeri and will have the option to buy the player if the deal is approved, a source in Argentina told FutbolMLS.com on Friday.
Valeri (above), who currently plays for Lanús in Argentina’s Primera División, traveled to Portland on Wednesday night to meet with Timbers officials and underwent a medical examination by team doctors, according to the source.
“There were talks on the subject since last week, and Lanús received a one-year loan with the option of buying the player,” the source told FutbolMLS.com. “Valeri is very excited to join MLS … but he still needs to come back to Buenos Aires for his work visa.”
Valeri, 26, made his professional debut for Lanús in 2003 and has scored 26 goals in 156 career appearances for the club. He also spent a year with Portuguese side Porto during a successful Portuguese Cup run in 2009, and he spent six months on loan with Spanish side UD Almería in 2010.
He also has three caps for the Argentinian national team since his debut in 2011.
The Portland Timbers declined to comment when contacted by MLSsoccer.com on Friday.
Lanús finished fourth during Argentina’s Inicial season last year, and Valeri finished with three assists in 19 league games. The team is coached by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the former Columbus Crew great and 2008 MLS MVP.
