Herrington deal highlights shrewd Rapids business

Premier League newcomer Hull City has reached a verbal agreement with the Colorado Rapids to sign Australia international center back Lucas Herrington for a fee up to $23 million, as The Athletic reported Sunday. While the deal still has formalities and final details to iron out, it represents a gigantic development for the MLS club.

Herrington, 18, made his Rapids debut just six months ago, after joining in a deal around $1 million. Now he is set to depart for a top-10 outbound fee in MLS history, with potential to become the second-largest. That is tidy business.

The Rapids struck a deal in May of 2025 to sign Herrington from Brisbane Roar, which would go into effect this winter, to anticipate European overtures. Sources say the Rapids could have sold Herrington for a profit before he ever arrived in the United States. In a masterstroke, earlier this year the Rapids bought out the Roar's 20% sell-on clause in Herrington for just under $400,000. If that clause remained today, it would have been worth north of $3 million as part of the deal with Hull. The Roar needed the money as soon as possible, and the Rapids took advantage.

On the field, Herrington quickly established himself as a starter and a standout defender in MLS, despite his age. He made Australia's World Cup squad as scouts from Barcelona, Liverpool and more came to North America to scout him. It was clear bids would come this summer, even if the Rapids hoped to keep him longer.

First, Barcelona launched a bid worth around $7 million, sources say. Colorado swiftly rejected the proposal, which would have seen Herrington start with Barca's B team. Talks with Hull intensified and, once it reached this level, could not be resisted. Amid everything, Herrington played on, making just his 20th and seemingly final appearance for the Rapids on Saturday in a 1-0 win over Austin FC.

Hull chases more MLS talent

Hull City is not done with business around MLS once the deal for Herrington is complete: the club continues to chase Croatia international winger Marco Pašalić from Orlando City, sources say. There has not been an official bid or direct contact with Orlando since a loan offer was rejected out of hand last month, but sources think a more serious, permanent bid may arrive before long.

Pašalić wants to go back to Europe and Orlando will let him go for fair value, sources add. If the promoted Premier League side provides that value, a deal could be reached to turn a Lion into a Tiger. Pašalić, 25, has 18 caps for Croatia and played in three of its four 2026 World Cup matches, starting once. He joined Orlando ahead of the 2025 season for a $5 million fee, and his departure would open a DP spot alongside Antoine Griezmann and Martín Ojeda.

LA Galaxy near DP signing

LA Galaxy are closing in on a deal to sign a new DP, GM Will Kuntz told media this weekend.

"We are very close," Kuntz said. "I don't want to set the bar too high, but our expectation is he'll be here by the end of the week."

It is a big summer for the Galaxy, who signed Japanese forward Kyōgo Furuhashi on a non-DP deal after transferring Gabriel Pec to Cruzeiro for a club-record fee of $12 million. The club is likely to send out midfielder Edwin Cerrillo as well. The incoming DP is the most important transaction left this summer. The team has two current DPs in Joseph Paintsil and João Klauss, while star midfielder Riqui Puig has not played since 2024 due to injury. He is expected back next year.

The Galaxy could use the help, as they sit in 12th place in the Western Conference, two points below the playoff line.

Sporting KC and Atlanta United in the hunt

Beyond the Galaxy, several MLS teams will be active in chasing high-level, big-money players. Sporting KC is the first that comes to mind, with the club continuing to negotiate for Brazilian winger André Luiz from Olympiacos, sources say. A potential deal would be in the region of $18 million plus add-ons. The club has held talks for the winger much of the summer, while ownership tries to lure Mohamed Salah. SKC has had other high-level targets, including Toulouse winger Yann Gboho.

Atlanta United is working hard to land a star No. 9, with The Athletic previously reporting the pursuit of Darwin Núñez and Breel Embolo, while the club has now also been linked with Romelu Lukaku. Conditions are ripe for a signing after a DP spot opened following Emmanuel Latte Lath's loan to Union Berlin.