The Portland Timbers' top priority during the summer transfer window will be to sign a left back, a source within the team told The Oregonian/OregonLive Wednesday.

Since transferring Jorge Villafana to Liga MX side Santos Laguna in the offseason, the Timbers have shuffled through four different players at left back this season as they've tried to find the right fit.

Portland signed Chris Klute in December to fill Villafana's spot, but Klute missed the first four games of the season while recovering from meniscus surgery and has had up and down performances on the field since returning to full health.

Klute has started eight games for the Timbers at left back this season, but was recently replaced in the lineup by veteran defender Jermaine Taylor. Taylor started two-straight games at left back in May before joining Jamaica ahead of the Copa America tournament.

The Timbers also tried starting Jack Barmby at left back for a game against the Orlando City SC in April, but Barmby looked out of position in the role.

With Taylor still away with Jamaica, Timbers coach Caleb Porter tried yet another option at left back Wednesday, moving Zarek Valentin, who has been starting at right back, back to the left side and giving Taylor Peay his first start of the season at right back.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg