The report is a significant acknowledgment of the teenage centre back’s meteoric rise. UFC FREEDOM 250 | MONDAY 15 JUNE 10AM AEST | UFC Freedom 250 delivers a landmark night of fights from the White House, with Topuria vs Gaethje leading a stacked card celebrating America’s 250th anniversary | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Having taken the MLS by storm this year with Colorado Rapids, Herrington made his international debut in March and is now in line to start alongside Harry Souttar
and Alessandro Circati in Tony Popovic’s back three against Türkiye in Vancouver on Sunday. Herrington started alongside Souttar and Circati in Australia’s friendlies against Mexico and Switzerland in recent weeks and has defended the likes of Lionel Messi in the American league since joining from Brisbane Roar. It seems Popovic is not the only one whose head was turned by his string of impressive performances. MLS insider, who works for The Athletic, posted on social media that Barcelona are among a number of clubs interested
in Herrington. A report from The Sydney Morning Herald later claimed that Barcelona’s initial offer was rejected, with it not meeting Colorado’s valuation of the talented teenager. The record transfer fee for an Australian is $23 million, which was set when Leicester City snapped up Harry Souttar from Stoke City in 2022. According to the CIES Football Observatory, Herrington’s estimated value is between $23 million and $30 million, so if Barcelona or any other rival team is able to successfully bid on the Australian it
would likely be for a record figure. No Australian has ever played for the Catalan giants, who won La Liga in the season just gone. Herrington had previously been linked with English Premier League outfit Everton as well as freshly relegated West Ham, but the thought of the Queenslander gracing the Nou Camp is mouth watering for Australian football fans. He has come with big wraps. Almost two years ago, then Brisbane Roar boss Ruben Zadkovich dubbed the teenager “the best defender in Australian football”.
Popovic may pivot from his back three from the friendlies by replacing Herrington with the experience of Cameron Burgess – who played every single minute of the English Championship season with Welsh side Swansea City. But if the manager sticks to his guns, Herrington will become the youngest Australian to start a World Cup match – easily breaking Adam Taggart’s record of being 21 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Whenever he does set foot on the pitch this tournament, Herrington will become the
second youngest ever Socceroo to play in a World Cup – after Garang Kuol in Qatar. “It would mean everything,” Herrington said in a pre-tournament interview. “I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this. “It came sooner than I thought, but I’ll try and take it with both hands, just enjoy it and really make the country proud.” Originally published as ‘Blow my mind’: Aussie teen linked with Spanish giant in bombshell report
Trey Herrington, Barcelona, Colorado Rapids, Tony Popovic, Harry Souttar, Alessandro Circati, Türkiye, Vancouver, World Cup, Adam Taggart, Garang Kuol, CIES Football Observatory, Leicester City, Stoke City, Everton, West Ham, Ruben Zadkovich, Brisbane Roar
23 million for a teenager is wild.
Wait so Barcelona rejected an offer? Or did Colorado reject them? I’m confused already, but if they’re valuing him at like 30 mil then that’s basically guaranteed to happen right? Soccer money is insane.
Messi being mentioned had me thinking he’s actually gonna leave the MLS team or something lol. Also if Leicester paid 23m for Souttar, doesn’t that mean Herrington should be 23m too? Seems like the math is just vibes.
Barcelona rumors feel like clickbait half the time. Like did they seriously offer and then it got rejected because it didn’t meet Colorado’s valuation, but the valuation is already 23-30m anyway? And why am I reading UFC stuff in the same article… anyway hope he starts vs Türkiye, even though I have no idea who Harry Souttar is lol.