Luke O’Nien urges Lutsharel Geertruida to stay at Sunderland amid Liverpool and Spurs links | OneFootball

Luke O’Nien has urged Lutsharel Geertruida to stay at Sunderland after the win over Chelsea, underlining the squad’s wish to keep the loanee.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Dutch defender arrived with a big reputation and was linked with Liverpool in January, while Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with interest as his long-term plans remain unresolved.

Geertruida has not always started under Régis Le Bris, yet when selected he has looked a high-level, versatile option Sunderland would like to keep if possible. He has covered across the back line and contributed on the ball, bringing experience and tactical flexibility. His professionalism has been noted inside the squad.

O’Nien praised him as top class on and off the pitch, said he has asked him every day to stay, and even joked about trying to slip a contract under a napkin after the match.

With outside interest and international ambitions, any conversation is unlikely to be straightforward, and consistent minutes before this summer’s World Cup could be pivotal. O’Nien’s sentiment was clear, though, that if team-mates had a say, Geertruida would remain on Wearside.

Source: Sunderland Echo