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Frederic Piquionne

(Doug Beghtel/The Oregonian)

The Portland Timbers have acquired a target forward on a short term loan deal with an option to buy from a first division European team, a source told The Oregonian.

The Timbers plan to announce the deal this week.

Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson spent over two weeks scouting talent in Europe before returning to Portland on Saturday.

The Timbers have scored just 13 goals over ten games and have scored multiple goals in only two games this season. In 2013, Portland scored 54 goals on the season.

Portland has been competing with only two options in the No. 9 position in Gaston Fernandez and Maximiliano Urruti since striker Frederic Piquionne left the team over two weeks ago to deal with what Timbers coach Caleb Porter called a "family emergency."

With the announcement of the new loan deal, the Timbers are also expected to announce that Piquionne will no longer be with the team.

The Timbers are also targeting several other players and could announce additional signings during the summer transfer window from July 8 to August 6.

-- Jamie Goldberg | @jamiebgoldberg