Lutsharel Geertruida ‘to return’ to Leipzig after Sunderland loan | OneFootball

Sky Sports Germany reports that Sunderland will not sign Lutsharel Geertruida permanently this summer, and the defender is set to return to RB Leipzig.

The Netherlands international, 25, joined on loan last summer with an option to buy understood to be around £20m. He has contributed across the campaign with 27 appearances, though he has not nailed down a regular berth under Régis Le Bris.

The report adds that Sunderland will not trigger a £23m clause, with Geertruida expected to go back to Leipzig before a permanent move is sought elsewhere. Initial enquiries are said to have been made, and there is interest from clubs in Europe’s top five leagues.

On Thursday, Le Bris said it was too early to decide the player’s long-term future and stressed any uncertainty would not shape his selections for the final three matches.

Dan Ballard’s suspension leaves a vacancy in the back four for those fixtures, and whether Geertruida gets the nod remains to be seen.

Source: Sunderland Echo