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Liverpool to hijack 'historic' Barcelona signing: Iraola wants Van Dijk 2.0
20 Jun 2026 07:02 BST |
4 min read
News
Liverpool have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Colorado Rapids sensation Lucas Herrington.
The 18-year-old is currently at the World Cup with Australia following a brilliant first half of the Major League Soccer season. Herrington was signed by Colorado for just €450,000 from Brisbane Roar in January, and he has hit like a bomb in the States.
Despite being a centre-back, which isn't the flashiest position, Herrington has become one of the top prospects in MLS, courtesy of his well-rounded skillset. In addition to being a very good defender, the teenager is an exceptional passer of the ball.
The fact that he plays for the Rapids has only helped him augment his reputation. Despite the team's inconsistency, coach Matt Wells will not compromise on his philosophy, which favours building out from the back. Herrington is the perfect defender for this system.
The young Socceroo has not missed a single minute of MLS football so far this term, and his performances since February have confirmed what many scouts already knew - that he is a special talent.
Liverpool join Herrington race
Last week, reports emerged in Australia that Barcelona had made a "historic" opening bid for Herrington, which was rejected by the Rapids because it fell short of their asking price.
While the value of the bid was not disclosed, the fact that Barcelona even made the proposal in the first place was notable: it was only the second-ever offer made by the club for an Australian men's or women's player after Harry Kewell in 2003.
Instead of joining Barcelona, Kewell ended up at Liverpool back then. It could be a similar story for Herrington, as The Athletic is now reporting that the Anfield club have joined the Catalans in the race to sign the 18-year-old.
While there are no active talks with any club at present - he is at the World Cup after all - Liverpool have been keeping a close eye on his development this season.
The report also confirms that Barcelona made an unsuccessful bid and that Colorado could have sold Herrington to European suitors in January before he had even made his debut for the club.
However, Rapids chiefs insist that they are in no rush to cash in on him. There is no guarantee that Herrington will move after the World Cup, but what is clear is that he will most likely become the most expensive centre-back ever sold by an MLS franchise.
This honour currently belongs to Canada international Moise Bombito, who was sold by the Rapids to Nice for €7m in 2024. They could soon break their own record with Herrington.
There are shades of Virgil van Dijk in the ease with which the towering teenager glides across the pitch, particularly combined with his incisive passing. Perhaps it is no surprise then that Liverpool are the latest club to show an interest - he could be their long-term successor to the Dutchman.
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