Fanendo Adi Aquisition Looking Likely

Since joining the Portland Timbers on a three-month loan in mid-May, Fanendo Adi has been a force to be reckoned with, putting up a scoreline of four goals and two assists in 312 minutes. Now things are looking good for the big attacker to join the Timbers on a permanent basis according to comments from FC Copenhagen coach Ståle Solbakken on bt.dk.

Starting off with a little editorializing, BT writer Michel Wikkelsø Davidsen claims that Adi, and fellow forward Marvin Pourie, will never crack the FCK lineup with Solbakken in charge.

The quotes from Solbakken (translated by google) indicate that Adi is on his way out, even if the deal is not yet finalized.

We have not said goodbye to Adi, but he's probably closer to the exit than Marvin Pourie is. If it resolves with some clubs and the player, the MLS a great way to build his career up. Even if Adi would have preferred a career in Europe, says Solbakken.

This lines up well with what Merritt Paulson has said via twitter several times; most recently in a back and forth on twitter last Sunday when he claimed in a since deleted tweet that the Timbers were on track to sign both Adi and a new centerback.

Rumors last week named ex-Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion defender Liam Ridgewell as the Timbers' centerback target.

If the Timbers are able to bring in Adi, the remaining question will be his status on the roster and whether he will require one of the Timbers' two remaining designated player slots. Adi currently has some time left on his contract with FCK and would almost certainly require a transfer fee that, if his salary does not put him there already, will likely make him a designated player.

What do you think of this potential pickup? Is Adi worth a designated player slot? Can he sustain his early success for the rest of the season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.