Report: Falcao has MLS offer - Portland Timbers deny link to Galatasaray striker

Radamel Falcao appears to be on the verge of leaving Turkey. According to a report by Diario AS, Galatasaray already has received an offer from a Major League Soccer side for the 34-year-old Colombian, who is currently recovering from an injury in Spain. AS reported that the club in question is the Portland Timbers. The Timbers denied that report on Friday. 

AS claims that the Timbers would be willing to take over all of the Colombians salary; in turn, the Süper Lig club will allow the Colombian to leave on a free transfer. The striker currently earns €4.5 million at Galatasaray. 

Falcao is believed to be open to a move to MLS. Portland Timbers are the second club linked to the striker. The forward was previously linked to Inter Miami CF. But there are some significant obstacles to the deal. In Yimmi Chará, Sebastián Blanco, and Jaroslaw Niezgoda, the Timbers had three Designated Players on the book in 2020.

Felipe Mora to return - Falcao not headed to Portland

As a result, the Timbers would have to make some room in their roster. One of their three DP would have to be either moved on or bought down using allocation money. The club are also in advanced negotiations with UNAM Pumas to sign striker Felipe Mora. The permanent arrival of the Chilean forward will make it very unlikely for Falcao to sign in Oregon. 

Update Jan. 15: Not surprisingly Portland Timbers' owner Merritt Paulson shut down reports about Falcao heading to Oregon on Friday. That, however, does not mean Falcao will not end up in MLS. Well informed The Athletic journalist Felipe Cárdenas pointed out on Friday that while the Portland link was indeed strange, the forward is likely to end up in MLS. Inter Miami and the two LA clubs are considered likely destinations. 

Ad: £1.7m+ paid in fantasy prizes at Footstock, 18+ UK Only