Luke O’Nien urges Lutsharel Geertruida to stay as Sunderland weigh future amid Liverpool links | OneFootball

Luke O’Nien says he has been asking Lutsharel Geertruida every day to stay at Sunderland as the Dutchman’s future becomes a major talking point on Wearside. According to Sunderland Echo, it is among the more intriguing summer questions at the Stadium of Light.

Geertruida arrived on loan with a big reputation and his pedigree has rarely been in doubt. He was linked with Liverpool in January, Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with interest, and he heads into a World Cup year with his long-term future undecided.

He has not always been a regular under Régis Le Bris, but when selected he has looked every inch the high-level, versatile defender Sunderland would like to keep if a deal is possible. His impact has been clear despite intermittent starts.

Speaking after the Chelsea game, O’Nien praised his team-mate as top level on and off the pitch and said he would love him to stay. He even joked about trying to secure a signature there and then, napkin included.

The light-hearted aside carried weight, the dressing room recognises what Geertruida has given the group, even when he has had to wait for chances. The question is whether Sunderland can turn that admiration into something more concrete.

Given his profile, outside interest and international ambitions, nothing about this looks straightforward, especially with regular football a major factor before this summer’s World Cup. O’Nien’s view was plain enough, if the players had a vote, Geertruida would be sticking around.

Source: Sunderland Echo