Transfer rumor: Fredy Montero heading to Portugal?

If the amount of noise in the rumor mill is any indication, Fredy Montero is lining up a move to somewhere in Europe. Where, exactly, is still very much in question.

The latest rumor is that Montero has an offer from an unnamed team in Portugal -- or, at least, that's how MLSsoccer.com is translating a report from Colombia's Antena 2. Honestly, I've listened to the interview a couple times and still haven't quite picked up where they mention Portugal, but I'll defer to someone with a far better level of fluency.

In any case, this is the second time in the past few weeks that a European team is rumored to be checking out Montero. Last time it was Turkey's Besiktas that was convinced they had found the "new Falcao."

Based on this latest report, it would seem as though the Sounders are the ones engineering the move. The report mentions the fact that Montero's loan to Millonarios can be terminated before the end of the calendar year, which would potentially allow him to make this move prior to the 2013-14 European season. The assumption here is that the Sounders could allow Montero to transfer without his reported $4 million buyout clause being triggered.

It's worth noting that Montero's loan to Millonarios has not exactly gone as hoped. The forward scored seven goals in 29 matches across all competitions and doesn't seem to be any closer to cracking the Colombian national team than he was before the move. If he can make a move to a decent European club, more power to him.

Either way, the chances of Montero returning to the Sounders for the 2014 MLS season are starting to look slim.