Erick on Portland Timbers' Radar for Over $3 Million | OneFootball

Fresh buzz is coming straight out of Curitiba, Brazil, where the Portland Timbers have their sights set on Erick, Athletico Paranaense’s 25-year-old defensive midfielder. Word on the street is that the Timbers are ready to lay down more than $3 million to make it happen.

Now, Erick’s name might not light up a room full of MLS fans, but don’t let that fool you; this guy isn’t some underdog waiting for a miracle. The midfielder has been a steady force for Athletico, a club known for polishing raw talent and selling it off for top dollar. Just look at their track record, players like Renan Lodi and Bruno Guimarães came through their ranks. That said, Erick isn’t a star in the making; he’s more of a workhorse. The type who breaks up plays, keeps the ball moving, and does the dirty work in the midfield.

Sure, MLS has a thing for headline-grabbing stars, think Messi or Zlatan. In that kind of climate, going after someone like Erick might seem like a gamble. But maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly the kind of move Portland needs to shake things up.

The Timbers reportedly have no problem shelling out over $3 million for Erick, and yeah, some might think that’s a bit much. After all, he’s not exactly the kind of player who’ll have fans rushing to buy his jersey. But when you dig deeper, the price starts to make sense. First off, Athletico isn’t exactly known for giving discounts; they drive a hard bargain. And second, MLS clubs are finally catching on, if they want to keep up with more established leagues, they’ve got to build solid squads, not just splash cash on big names. Erick fits right into that philosophy.

Defensively solid and versatile, Erick brings two things you absolutely need in a league as physically demanding as MLS. If he can adapt quickly to the American style of play, he might just become the backbone of Portland’s midfield.

But let’s not sugarcoat it, MLS isn’t some walk in the park. Plenty of Brazilian players come to the U.S. thinking it’s going to be easy street, only to get smacked with a reality check. The league is competitive, physical, and demands quick adaptation. Erick’s experience in Brazil gives him a leg up, sure, but he’ll still need to prove himself. It’s not enough to be a “destroyer” in midfield; he’ll have to show some creativity, step up as a leader, and deliver results on the field.

From Athletico’s perspective, letting Erick go for $3 million is a win-win. The club has a knack for reinvesting transfer money into its infrastructure and scouting new talent. For Brazilian soccer as a whole, deals like this show how MLS is becoming an increasingly attractive market. And that’s great news, it opens up fresh opportunities for players and clubs looking to make their mark on a global stage.