Rumors: Gaston Fernandez Back to Estudiantes?

The Portland Timbers worked hard to bring back Gaston Fernandez for 2015, but the season has not gone as hoped and "La Gata" could be on his way back to Argentine club Estudiantes is rumors around twitter are to be believed.

Gata back to Estudiantes will be coming out shortly. Made possible w/sale of another player. #PTFC #Estudiantes pic.twitter.com/8pJDuBF1hP

— The Bolivian Yank (@TheBolivianYank) August 3, 2015

The rumor is given legs by Fernandez's unexpected absence from yesterday's match, a 0-0 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes.

The link between Fernandez and Estudiantes is also not a new one. Fernandez played for Estudiantes from 2008 to 2014, when he joined the Timbers, first on loan from Mexican side Tigres then as a full time player.

In his time with the Timbers, Fernandez has notched nine goals and four assists in 53 games played. Seeing time all throughout the Timbers' front four, La Gata has been a bit player since joining the side in 2014, struggling to get out of the shadow of his countryman, Diego Valeri, or find regular minutes at striker.

If Fernandez does head back to Argentina things could again get interesting around the Timbers as the MLS secondary transfer window remains open through Thursday, August 6th.

This is not the first time that rumors of Fernandez departing the Timbers have surfaced, but the possibility seems real here, so we will have to keep a sharp eye on this situation as it develops.

Thanks to wyatt.fay, who first put this up over in the FanPosts.