Promising midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler is reportedly headed to Germany, the first of an emerging batch of Socceroos to move to bigger leagues.
The 21-year-old, who impressed in Australia’s World Cup campaign, will join Bundesliga club FC Köln from Sydney FC.
European football journalists Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg both reported a 1 million euro ($1.64 million) transfer fee, with a medical and signing to be conducted next week.
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Okon-Engstler joined Sydney FC on a three-year deal in July last year.
He was born in Belgium while his father, former Australian international and current Socceroos assistant coach Paul, was playing in the Belgian Pro League.
He moved to Australia in 2006 as a one-year-old when his father signed for the Newcastle Jets.
Okon-Engstler’s move comes as his 18-year-old teammate, defender Lucas Herrington, weighs offers from Europe’s top flights.
Herrington, at the US with the Colorado Rapids, is believed to have piqued interest from powerhouses including Barcelona, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Herrington impressed at the World Cup where he was calm and composed until a late blemish, missing a penalty in the shootout as the Socceroos again fell at the knockout stage.
The Brisbane Roar product’s value is estimated to be about $25 million, with Barcelona’s opening bid of about $8m turned down by Colorado.
Nestory Irankunda’s stunning goal in Australia’s World Cup opener lifted his price on the market amid keen interest.
Irankunda’s future remains uncertain after his first cup offered flashes of brilliance.
The 20-year-old is at Watford, with the English Championship club rejecting a $16m bid from Premier League side Hull City.
Irankunda’s value is thought to be double that amount, with other English clubs and some in Italy understood to be interested.
AAP
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