The record fee newly promoted Premier League club Hull City are willing to pay for 18-year-old Australian defender Lucas Herrington has been revealed.
Football transfers journalist Rudy Galetti posted on social media that the Tigers have put forward a deal of €21.5 million ($35.36m) plus 15 per cent of a future sale for the centre back to his current club Colorado Rapids.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Galetti reported that Hull and Colorado are “ironing out the final details” of the deal, while Hull City owner Acun Ilıcalı has confirmed interest in the Australian wonderkid to the BBC, saying the MLS’ fourth biggest ever player sale, according to transfermarkt.com, is close to done.
The deal is set to comfortably eclipse the Australian transfer record was set after the last World Cup when Leicester City bought Harry Souttar from Stoke City for $25m.
It will also smash the Rapids’ record player sale – they sold Canadian centre back Moïse Bombito to Nice last year for €7m.
Herrington is the Socceroos’ newest defensive sensation, having debuted in national colours in March and then making a splash at the World Cup.
It was reported on the eve of the tournament that Barcelona had bid roughly €10m ($16.45m) for the teenager, while Liverpool’s scouts had travelled to America to watch him play.
Herrington then caught the eye of dozens clubs in Europe’s top leagues after starting against Paraguay and Egypt, who he missed a penalty against during Australia’s shootout loss in the Round of 32.
The Brisbane Roar product only made the move to the United States in January, but has made such an impression that he started in the MLS All-Star game earlier this week.
Brisbane initially sold Herrington to the Rapids for $800,000 and will receive an extra $560,000 due to their sell-on clause.
The Roar originally had a 20 per cent sell-on clause but sold their rights to it for the cash – it is a move that is likely to cost them roughly $6.5m.
READ MORE
Football powers demand FIFA boss quits but key ally emerges in surprise twist to power struggle
Spurs star’s late winner stuns after red card drama in bumper Sydney clash with PL rival
Transfer Whispers — Socceroo’s ‘dream’ EPL mystery move; snubbed Aussie’s future confirmed
Spurs win in Sydney | 01:15
Despite the negotiations going on behind the scenes, Herrington played an entire game for the Rapids on Sunday AEST.
Colorado, who sit 10th in MLS Eastern Conference, picked up a 1-0 win at home to Austin via a 94th minute penalty.
Herrington returned to action last month as Colorado won 1-0 against San Diego FC in their first match following the World Cup break.