Are the Portland Timbers Targeting Didier Drogba?

Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports

Could the Chelsea Striker Be Headed To The Rose City?

On Tuesday, the Portland Timbers Owner tweeted out some welcome news to Timbers fans.

The suggestion of an aquisition happening within the next week, the primary transfer window ends on May 12th, would be a welcome sign for a team which went 8 weeks without a win. A major signing for the team which is in need of some offensive fire power this season.

Enter Didier Drogba.

He has long been rumored to arrive this year in the MLS and would be a welcome addition in Portland.  The team has yet to find the firepower they were able to call upon last season. In a city where soccer is a way of life, and commonly referred to as “Soccer City USA“, 1 win through 9 games will not cut it. He would be a significant addition to a depleted offense, and would instantly give Portland a target forward, and someone to play a physical presence in the final third of the field. The asking price would be exorbitantly high, but could prove worth it for a team which is seeking to salvage the 2014 season and still make a run at the playoffs. Clint Dempsey commanded a $9 million transfer fee last year, there would be no transfer fee for Drogba, who is currently not on contract.

The Portland Timbers would likely have to get in a bidding war which could get steep after a weekend in which Drogba’s former team Chelsea offered a reported  “player-coach” contract in which Drogba could play for a year for Chelsea, and then longer-term as an assistant coach.

After practice on Tuesday, head coach Caleb Porter, further confirmed the possibility of a signing in the next week;

"We are always looking and I think that perhaps there could be some moves made now and perhaps in the summer~Caleb Porter"

The Merritt Paulson tweet solidifies the fact the team has been looking for an addition for the team, and for at least 2 weeks. While the team has had a rough start to the season, continuing the momentum from their first victory of the season could propel Portland over the next couple of weeks, as they will look to leapfrog teams in the standings, starting with the LA Galaxy this Saturday. The Timbers will be looking to make a major splash after Paulson made sure it was known, he was not happy last year with the Seattle Sounders addition of Clint Dempsey. While the end result may not be Drogba, the charismatic owner is looking to make a big splash.

The clock is ticking with 5 days left in the current transfer window.