Ideal €30m problem-solver is coming to Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool have had trouble at right-back all season long.

Jeremie Frimpong has proven to be an awkward fit while Conor Bradley has been absent since January owing to an injury. Arne Slot has been forced to rely on midfielders to operate in the problem position - while Joe Gomez has played a lot more than he expected.

But Liverpool will need to rectify the problem once and for all in the summer transfer window - and find a player to perform there next season.

With Bradley coming back into focus next season it will be imperative to find one who can be redeployed elsewhere - either at centre-back or in a different position. In effect Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are seeking a replacement for Gomez.

The England international is out of contract in 2027 but could be sold this summer one year out from his contract expiry.

Deal opens up for Lutsharel Geertruida

And Slot could have an ideal candidate looming into view to bulk out his squad for next season in the shape of Lutsharel Geertruida.

The 25-year-old has been spending the season on loan in the Premier League with Sunderland. Liverpool tried to end that arrangement and sign the Dutch international from RB Leipzig in January - but the operation wasn’t feasible in the end.

But according to a report in Sports Boom decision-makers inside Anfield are ready to try again in the summer market.

Leipzig need to make €100m in sales this summer and are unlikely to cash their chips on Yan Diomande. Geertruida in that context is expendable and the German side would be willing to accept €30m for his signature.

That could bring Liverpool back to the table - according to the report - but there will be stiff competition Sunderland won’t sign Arne Slot’s former Feyenoord captain as a permanent option - opening the door to rival bids.

RB Leipzig will sell Geertruida for €30m

“That development has effectively opened the door to a wide-ranging transfer battle, with Liverpool, Leeds United, Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace all monitoring the situation closely,” the report reads.

“Interest is also understood to be growing from clubs in Italy, Germany, France and Spain, underlining the scale of competition for his signature.

“Liverpool had previously explored a move for Geertruida during the January window, with Arne Slot a known admirer from their shared time at Feyenoord.

“However, the deal never materialised at the time, with Sunderland unable to secure a replacement. This summer, Liverpool are expected to revisit the opportunity with a more structured approach as they assess defensive reinforcements.”

Arne Slot knows Geertruida very well

Geertruida came through the youth ranks at Feyenoord - winning the Eredivisie and KNVB Beker (Dutch cup) under Slot. He joined Leipzig in 2024 but the move hasn’t worked out for the versatile performer.

Sunderland offered him a temporary home for the 2025/26 season and has fared well in his Premier League rookie season.

Well-known to Arne Slot - and highly-regarded - Geertruida could be a very sensible transfer to cover plenty of gaps in the squad this summer.