Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew 2016 season opener

Timbers owner Merritt Paulson cheers with fans at Providence Park.

(Thomas Boyd/2016)

The Portland Timbers appear close to signing a designated player.

In a since-deleted Twitter conversation Thursday, Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said that the club is going after a "high-level" designated player and indicated that the Timbers are "close" to signing the player.

The Timbers, who plan to move current designated player Lucas Melano, have been looking to sign a new designated player at the winger position, according to a report from Goal.com.

The Timbers are set to open preseason training camp in just under three weeks.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg