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Merritt Paulson is always letting the cat out of the bag. Yesterday it was confirming Amber Brooks' signing with the Portland Thorns. Last night he confirmed another long-speculated about rumor on Twitter as he wished good luck to Jose Adolfo Valencia with Olimpico (although he was probably talking about Club Olimpo).
@trencitoval buena suerte, jose
— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) December 28, 2013
@trencitoval siempre seras un parte importante de la familia Timbers. I look forward to seeing you score goals for Olimpico!
— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) December 28, 2013
Valencia had been rumored to be going on loan to Olimpo for some time now, with speculation increasing earlier in the month after a video reportedly of him signing on with Olimpo was released by the Argentinian club. The Timbers have not yet officially confirmed that Valencia is going on loan, nor have the specifics of the loan been announced, although it is believed to be a one year loan with an option to buy.
Valencia's upcoming move was not the only thing that Paulson has been tweeting about, however.
Quick Timbers: trying to lock Jan training stint for A Powell; should have '14 loan deal done on another young plr; new player signings soon
— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) December 23, 2013
Also couple more Timbers adds than what I referenced already for Jan release to round out 2014 squad and lots of Thorns activity happening
— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) December 23, 2013
Parsing these tweets, it appears that as many as four moves could be announced next week, including a potential trip abroad for Alvas Powell, Valencia's loan deal, and multiple signings for the team, possibly including one or both of the "significant signings" that the Timbers have been lining up.
One of those significant signings seems to be finalized, according to yet another tweet from Paulson.
Thanks to Diego Valeri for the assist in getting latest Timbers offensive weapon signed. Need to wait a bit 4official announcement. #xmas9.5
— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) December 24, 2013
This seems likely to be in reference to the rumored signing of Gaston Fernandez, a fellow Argentine who grew up in Valeri's hometown of Lanus and who was called up to the same national team camp as Valeri.
While new ground may not have been broken with any of these tweets, they do serve as a confirmation of the club's direction. As Paulson said in yet another tweet, the Timbers are "tuning, not overhauling".
