Liverpool and Aston Villa ‘to target’ £20m Sunderland loanee Geertruida this summer | OneFootball

Liverpool and Aston Villa are among the clubs tracking Sunderland loanee Lutsharel Geertruida ahead of the summer window. TEAMtalk reports that several Premier League sides are monitoring the RB Leipzig defender.

Geertruida, 25, has played 27 times this season on Wearside and Sunderland hold an option to buy. The report adds that any deal, whether for Sunderland or another club, could cost about £20 million.

Alongside Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham and Crystal Palace are said to be interested. While the player is happy on Wearside, his representatives are aware of growing interest and potential opportunities beyond England.

Liverpool made an approach in January amid a defensive injury crisis at Anfield, with Arne Slot, who worked with Geertruida at Feyenoord, identifying him as a short-term option. Sunderland’s inability to secure a replacement before deadline day prevented a move.

Black Cats head coach Le Bris has praised the Dutch international’s versatility and acknowledged it can complicate settling on one role. He said the defender’s usefulness across positions contrasts with a natural desire to start regularly, with the World Cup in mind, and that such factors make transfer decisions complex.

With Sunderland holding a clear advantage via their option, much may still depend on Geertruida’s preference before the summer window opens.

Source: Sunderland Echo