Report: Portland Timbers finalizing deal with Colorado Rapids for Cole Bassett

Twelve short days ago, Portland Timbers general manager Ned Grabavoy told fans to expect some new signings within the next "two to three weeks" following the stunning trade of David Ayala to Inter Miami CF.

Per reporting from The Athletic's Tom Bogert, the first of those midfield signings is a major one:

According to Bogert, Cole Bassett, 24, will occupy one of Portland's two open U-22 initiative slots (contract runs through Dec. 2027), leaving room for another addition depending on how they navigate moving on from Jonathan Rodriguez's DP contract in 2026.

Before anybody tries to poke holes or downplay this deal let me stop you – This is a slam dunk deal for the Timbers. For a 24-year-old, Bassett has the experience of a veteran, having made 193 first-team appearances for the Colorado Rapids, and Holland's Eredivisie clubs Feyenoord and Fortuna Sittard. He has also been capped one time by the U.S. Men's National team, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina back in 2021:

Bassett has been primarily deployed as a box-to-box #8, or as an attacking #10 throughout his career, but was also used sparingly on the left and right wing during his time with the Rapids. I'd expect Bassett to slot in next to Joao Ortiz or Diego Chara at the base of Phil Neville's 4-2-3-1 formation long-term, but his positional flexibility could allow the Timbers to keep Velde on the left wing while David da Costa is sidelined to start the season following his off-season shoulder surgery.

As Sam Svilar points out, a good barometer for transfers is how supporters of the club losing the player react to the news, and the majority of Rapids fans and reporters alike are shocked – read Matt Pollard of The Burgundy Wave's assessment of the transfer:

Source: Cole Bassett Transfer to Portland Timbers. Shocking! - Burgundy Wave

Burgundy Wave can confirm a Cole Bassett transfer is nearly complete with him moving from Colorado Rapids to Portland Timbers.

Burgundy WaveMatt Pollard

There's a lot to like about Bassett to Portland, and the deal should ease concerns about the club's plans for the roster with MLS Opening Day now less than one month away. The deal should progress without a hitch, and since he's a domestic player, Bassett will likely be able to join up with the squad down in SoCal for the remainder of their pre-season camp as soon as the deal is finalized.

Luckily, we don't even have to wait to see how the midfielder will look in Green & Gold:

What do you think of the Portland Timbers reportedly acquiring Cole Bassett from the Colorado Rapids for an initial $2.65 million fee as a U-22 initiative player? Sound off in the comments below!