Leicester City ‘agree $26m deal with Stoke City for Harry Souttar’ with Socceroos star on his way to Foxes’ training ground for his medical ahead of move which would make him Australia’s most expensive player EVER
Harry Souttar will become the most expensive Australian footballer ever after Leicester City agreed a £15million deal with Stoke City for the defender.
Souttar, 24, gained admirers for his stoic performances for the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup, in which he helped Graham Arnold’s side reach the last-16.
Leicester have long held an interest in the 6ft7ins centre half and have finally made their move with Brendan Rodgers set to bolster his defensive options for the remainder of the season, according to the BBC.
Harry Souttar is on the verge of a move to the Premier League for a record-breaking fee
Souttar’s £15m move will shatter the record for the highest transfer fee spent on a player from Australia, which was previously held by Socceroos teammate Aaron Mooy following his £10m move to Huddersfield in 2017.
Rodgers is desperate to address his side’s defensive frailties, with only Southampton conceding more than the 35 goals the Foxes have let in so far this season.
Leicester are without a win in their last five Premier League games and are just one point clear of the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Villa Park on Saturday.
Souttar’s displays at the World Cup were made even more impressive considering the Scotland-born defender ruptured his ACL in a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in November 2021.
The 24-year-old put in a series of impressive displays with the Socceroos at the World Cup
Brendan Rodgers has been desperate to bolster his defensive options and is set to do so
The Stoke City defender – who scored six goals in his first 10 games for the Socceroos – faced a race against time to be fit in time for the tournament, but was a revelation in Qatar.
Arnold championed the centre-back’s Premier League credentials after Australia beat Denmark to qualify for the Round of 16.
‘I just had so much belief in that boy. I know his mentality is so strong,’ the Socceroos boss told reporters.
‘I tell you what, if I was a Premier League club, I‘d be banging on his…