The first rumored signing of the offseason is here.

Two reports out of Costa Rica this week have linked 24-year-old Deportivo Saprissa center back Julio Cascante to the Portland Timbers. La Nacion indicated that Cascante may be departing Saprissa to join the Timbers while Teletica Deportes wrote that Cascante is interested in joining the Timbers.

While neither report indicated that a deal had been signed and the interest remains just a rumor at this point, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Timbers target another player from Saprissa.

Portland acquired midfielder David Guzman and defender Roy Miller from Saprissa ahead of the 2017 season and both players ended up being key pieces for the Timbers this year.

The Timbers were also linked to Cascante last spring, but reports at the time indicated that the club thought of Cascante as a prospect and were likely looking at him for 2018.

The reports this week come after Timbers General Manager and President of Soccer Gavin Wilkinson visited Costa Rica this weekend. Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said at Monday's MLS MVP celebration that Wilkinson was flying back from Costa Rica.

Wilkinson previously said that the Timbers hope to sign a young center back this offseason that could be part of their succession plan while contributing important minutes next season.

Cascante certainly fits that mold, but it's far from certain at this point that he will be headed to Portland.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg