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That sound you hear is the offseason officially kicking off for the Portland Timbers, and it starts with a trade.
According to a report of Jeff Carlisle of ESPN, the Portland Timbers have traded Marco Farfan to Los Angeles FC for $300k in allocation money. In addition, the rumored signing of Argentinian left back Nicolas Claudio Bravo appears to be done, with Portland paying a $1 million transfer fee:
Sources: #LAFC acquire D Marco Farfan from #RCTID for $300k in allocation money. Also, long reported deal to bring Claudio Nicolas Bravo to Portland from Banfield has been finalized; $1m transfer fee for 80% of player's rights: https://t.co/krj9miqzj4
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) December 3, 2020
The move comes after Farfan enjoyed a much more expanded role for the Timbers this season, appearing in 14 games and logging around 850 minutes for the team in 2020. Originally signed as a homegrown player and Portland’s first academy signing in 2016, Farfan played limited minutes for Portland as he battled injuries and for playing time amongst veteran defenders. 2020 appeared to be the first season that he started to put it all together, and Farfan was rewarded by getting his first call up to the senior United States Men’s National Team earlier this week. This all suggested that he was up for playing an even larger role in 2021. If he does, it appears it will now be in black and gold rather than green and gold.
Farfan’s presumed departure would then make space on the depth chart for Bravo. Originally reported back in early October, it now appears that Portland is set to acquire the newest addition to its Argentine contingent. Bravo, 23, made 23 appearances for Argentine side Banfield across all competitions in the 2019 - 2020 season. A rising young player from the strong South American talent pipeline, Bravo appears to fit the bill of strengthening the outside defense that Portland stated was one their focuses for this offseason. According to the report from Carlisle, Portland will reportedly be paying a $1 million transfer fee spread out across four seasons for 80% of Bravo’s rights.
Back when Bravo’s acquisition was first reported, we wondered if Portland needed another left back. With the reported trade of Marco Farfan, and acquisition of Claudio Nicolas Bravo, it appears that that question has been answered.
UPDATE: According to an additional tweet from Carlisle, it appears that Farfan requested the trade from Portland, citing that he was “looking for a new challenge”:
Another nugget regarding the Farfan deal. I'm told he was looking for a new challenge, and requested a trade. #LAFC is the beneficiary. #RCTID
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) December 3, 2020
This story will be continue to be updated as more official news becomes available.