Reigning Premier League Champions Liverpool have opened negotiations with Sunderland over a potential loan move for Dutch defender Lutsharel Geertruida before the end of the winter transfer window.
Geertruida, a versatile defender who can play at right-back, center-back and defensive midfield, is currently on a season-long loan at Sunderland from German Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are currently looking to wrestle control of the Netherlands international’s loan contract away from Sunderland.
The reigning Premier League champions are currently without Conor Bradley, who is out for the rest of the season after suffering a terrible knee injury back in January during a feisty 1-1 draw at Arsenal.
They are also missing Jeremie Frimpong, who will spend the next few weeks on the sidelines due to a groin injury as well as versatile English defender Joe Gomez, prompting the need for reinforcements in the immediate term.
With a lot of space for Liverpool to fill at the back, manager Arne Slot has opted for a familiar face in Geertruida. The two Dutchmen spent time together at Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.
Geertruida played 127 games across all competitions under Slot, making 25 goal contributions (16G, 9A) and wearing the captain’s arm band on several occasions until both player and manager left Feyenoord in the summer of 2024.
As there’s no recall clause in Geertruida’s loan contract at Sunderland, the Black Cats will have to agree to a termination of their existing arrangement with Leipzig before Liverpool can proceed with their acquisition of the player.
Having paid a £2 million loan fee in the summer, Sunderland will most likely seek compensation if all parties can manage to come to an agreement.
