Socceroos World Cup hero Nestory Irankunda may be on the verge of becoming Australia’s most expensive footballer, after reports emerged of a move to Portuguese club Sporting CP.

Irankunda is reportedly closing in on a record-breaking move to Sporting CP, with the Portuguese club set to pay a fee that would make him the highest-paid Australian player.

English club Watford and Sporting CP are in talks of a deal worth up to AUD$32.5 million, including bonuses.

Sporting CP had reportedly seen an initial offer rejected before returning with an improved bid to get the 20-year-old to their club. If the deal goes through, the transfer would surpass the previous Australian record set when Harry Souttar joined Leicester City from Stoke City for around AUD$27 million in 2023.

The move comes just weeks after Irankunda became Australia’s youngest goalscorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring Australia’s opening goal in its 2-0 group-stage victory over Türkiye.

After Australia’s World Cup campaign concluded, Irankunda said he believed a move to European football was within reach.

“I see myself playing at a top level soon,” Irankunda told SBS. “Whether that’s now or next season, it will happen eventually, in my opinion, and I have that belief.”

If the deal is finalised, Irankunda’s move would mark another significant milestone in Australian football and give the young winger the opportunity to compete in the Champions League.

Photo: Nestory Irankunda Australia v USA 19 June 2026 by Bryan Berlin found HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has been cropped.