Sunderland open talks to keep Lutsharel Geertruida as Bertrand Traoré among exits | OneFootball

Sunderland have opened talks to sign Lutsharel Geertruida permanently after publishing their retained and released list. The club said in a statement that discussions with the RB Leipzig loanee remain ongoing, while Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin, Bertrand Traoré and Niall Huggins will depart.

Sunderland hold an option to convert Geertruida’s loan, although any agreement would still require the player’s approval.

The 25-year-old arrived from Feyenoord with an Eredivisie title and senior Netherlands caps. Liverpool showed interest in January 2025 before his move to Leipzig, underlining the calibre Sunderland attracted last summer.

His campaign on Wearside was mixed, with spells in and out of Régis Le Bris’ side, but his versatility across the back line proved valuable in the club’s first season back in the Premier League.

Geertruida finished strongly as Sunderland secured seventh place and Europa League qualification, and he earned another Netherlands call-up. He is not listed among the departures.

Neil’s exit ends a major chapter for the academy graduate, who helped win promotion from League One and later captained the club back to the top flight, making more than 200 appearances. Cirkin leaves after five years and 120-plus games, his progress checked by injuries and competition.

Traoré departs after one season, while Huggins, who arrived from Leeds in 2021, leaves having battled injuries and scored the club’s Goal of the Season in 2023-24 against Watford.

At under-21 level, nine players, including Oliver Bainbridge, Marshall Burke and Dan Cameron, will leave, with second-year scholars Ivan Struk and George Bell also departing. Eight youngsters, including Finn Geragusian and Liam Hunt, have been offered professional deals. All other first-team players are retained as preparations continue for the Premier League and a return to Europe under Le Bris, and the club offered thanks and best wishes to all who depart.

Source: Sunderland Echo