Barcelona have had an official bid rejected by Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids for Australian international Lucas Herrington, 18, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The highly-rated centre-back is set to make his World Cup debut for the Socceroos against Turkey on June 14.
Herrington's current market value stands at €4.5 million, but any successful transfer is expected to exceed €20 million, which would make him the most expensive Australian player transfer in history. The current record is €17 million, which Leicester City paid Stoke City for defender Harry Souttar.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic praised Herrington's development: "He can be really good. He's just started out, he's doing so well. It is quite special at 18 to be doing what he's doing."
Barcelona's record-breaking valuation depends directly on Herrington's World Cup displays, with the club monitoring his tournament performances to determine the size of any revised offer to Colorado Rapids.
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