Socceroos star Alessandro Circati’s $33m move to Benfica set to eclipse week-old Aussie transfer record

Another Socceroos star is on the brink of a big-money move after the World Cup, with Alessandro Circati set to join Nestory Irankunda in Portugal’s top division.

Circati, who rose through the ranks at Italian club Parma after coming through Perth Glory’s youth system, had been linked with the likes of Inter Milan among others.

But he is now making a €20m ($A32.6m) move to Benfica, who won the title as recently as 2022-23 and finished third last season to secure a UEFA Europa League berth.

Benfica defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League last season before being knocked out by the Spanish club in the knockout phase playoffs.

Multiple reports say Circati’s move is a done deal but Benfica, who began their season with a 2-2 draw and a 7-0 win, are yet to announce his signing.

Circati — the son of former Italian footballer Gianfranco, who settled in Perth at the end of his career — was under contract with Parma for another three years.

He had already started and played 90 minutes in Parma’s Coppa Italia win over Catania last weekend.

Benfica’s $A32.6m fee narrowly surpasses the week-old Australian record transfer of fellow defender Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids to Premier League new boys Hull City) and sits above Irankunda’s $A26m deal to join Sporting CP.

Irankunda and Circati are now in line to face each other when Sporting and Benfica clash in December.

Sporting, who are in the Champions League this season, announced Irankunda’s transfer last weekend, even slapping a $A130 million release clause into his contract.

“It’s a moment of great happiness and pride,” he told the club’s fans.

“I’m very excited. Any child or person who loves football dreams of playing in the UEFA Champions League. Having this opportunity will be fantastic and a dream come true.

“The project seemed very good to me and, obviously, Sporting CP is a top club with a great history. I wanted to accept this challenge and I’m ready.

“Even someone who lives on the other side of the world, like me, looks at Sporting CP and understands how fantastic and passionate the fans are.