Rangers Submit ~$10m Bid for Portland Timbers Striker Kevin Kelsy

Rangers have made a formal move for Portland Timbers forward Kevin Kelsy, submitting a bid in the region of $10 million, according to sources.

The Scottish club are looking to strengthen their attack after Youssef Chermiti’s injury, and the 22-year-old Venezuela international has emerged as a clear target. However, the Timbers are not looking to sell, and Kelsy is not pushing for a move at this stage.

Kelsy has been one of the more productive young strikers in MLS this season. The 6-foot-4 forward has recorded 9 goals and 2 assists in 994 minutes, showing both finishing ability and physical presence in the box.

Why Rangers are interested

Rangers are working through a shortlist of striking options as they look for a replacement profile for Chermiti. Kelsy’s combination of size, mobility and goal output in MLS has put him on their radar — and he is not the only club tracking the Venezuelan.

Any deal would require a significant fee. Portland signed Kelsy from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2025 for a reported figure near $6 million and still have him under contract through 2028, with a club option for 2029. As a U22 Initiative player with strong numbers, the Timbers have little incentive to cash in cheaply mid-season.

The Portland stance

Sources indicate Portland are not actively shopping Kelsy. The club view him as a long-term piece of their attack, and the player himself is not driving a transfer. That does not completely close the door — a substantially improved offer could change the conversation — but for now the Timbers appear content to keep him.

What it means

For MLS, this is another example of European clubs monitoring young talent developed or polished in the league. Kelsy’s path — from Venezuela to Shakhtar, a productive loan at FC Cincinnati, then a permanent move to Portland — has quickly raised his stock.

Whether Rangers return with a higher bid remains to be seen. For the moment, the message from Portland is clear: Kevin Kelsy is not for sale at $10 million.