According to Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson, Argentine club Boca Juniors wanted to acquire winger Lucas Melano on a free loan, but Portland rejected the move.

As is his wont, Paulson made the news public in a Twitter exchange on Thursday with reporter Juan G. Arango.

@JuanG_Arango @cboehm I know the facts. if Boca was really interested in Lucas they would have made an offer. — Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) June 16, 2016

@JuanG_Arango @cboehm nobody heated here. they want a guy on a free loan and are upset we said no. end of story. — Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) June 16, 2016

Melano has been linked with Boca Juniors for the past couple of weeks. The Argentine club are managed by former Columbus Crew SC star Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who coached Melano at Lanus from 2013-15.

MLSsoccer.com reported last week that Boca and Portland had had discussions about Melano, but the Buenos Aires club had not submitted a formal offer for him.

Melano signed a Designated Player contract with the Timbers last summer. He provided the assist on the game-winning goal in MLS Cup 2015 but has struggled this year, registering no goals and three assists in 15 league matches.