TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Portland Timbers recently made an offer to acquire Justin Meram from Columbus Crew SC, sources have told MLSsoccer.com.

MLSsoccer.com reported earlier this month that Meram asked Columbus for a trade this offseason. The 29-year-old winger has been one of the more productive midfielders in MLS in recent years, recording 13 goals and seven assists in 2017 after notching five goals and 13 assists in 2016.

While Meram wants out of Ohio, Crew SC are committed to getting a large package of allocation money in return for him. The Iraq international has multiple years remaining on the contract he signed with Columbus last March; Crew SC used Targeted Allocation Money to buy down his budget charge last season.

Portland have resources after dealing Darlington Nagbe to Atlanta for $1,050,000 in guaranteed allocation money in December, a trade that could eventually reap PTFC as much as $1.65 million in allocation funds depending on performance-based incentives. Sources said their offer for Meram wasn't far off Crew SC's asking price.

With Portland already looking solid at attacking midfield, it’s no sure thing that the Timbers will put together a package that would truly tempt Crew SC to move Meram. The Timbers currently field reigning MLS MVP Diego Valeri in the middle, Designated Player Sebastian Blanco on one wing and are reportedly set to spend significant assets to sign Peruvian winger Andy Polo from Monarcas Morelia. It’s a bit difficult to see how all those parts would fit if Portland acquire Meram, though the club would have remarkable depth in the midfield if they land him.