Kyril Louis-Dreyfus reacts as Sunderland make final decision on Liverpool target Lutsharel Geertruida
Sunderland are set to keep hold of Lutsharel Geertruida despite interest from Liverpool.
Sunderland signed Geertruida from RB Leipzig on a season-long loan at the start of September, and since then, he has made 17 appearances for the club.
Geertruida, who can play at right-back, centre-back and in defensive midfield, has impressed for Regis Le Bris’ side, but he isn’t always a regular.
That has led to reported interest from Liverpool, with Reds boss Arne Slot said to be keen on reuniting with his former Feyenoord player.
But it seems the Stadium of Light outfit are digging their heels in and are intent on fending off the Premier League title champions’ pursuit.
Lutsharel Geertruida’s Liverpool move is off
The 25-year-old joined Sunderland on loan for the season and it seems the Mackems have no desire to change those plans.
The 6ft player has made 10 starts in the Premier League this season and amid injuries to Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez, and Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool want defensive reinforcements.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Netherlands international was in talks over an Anfield switch, but those negotiations have broken down.
Incidentally, Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has liked Romano’s Instagram post on the matter on Sunday evening, suggesting these reports are true.
Although Geertruida has been an unused substitute for Sunderland in their last two Premier League games, an injury to a teammate could propel him back into the starting lineup.
The Rotterdam-born player would likely have jumped at the chance to play for Liverpool and work with Slot again but it seems he won’t get that opportunity.
Do Sunderland need to strengthen before the winter window shuts?
Sunderland spent more than £160million on transfers last summer and that propelled them to mid-table in the Premier League.
They are still 13 points above the relegation zone, with signings such as Granit Xhaka proving to be a masterstroke.
But other than winger Jocelin Ta Bi and goalkeeper Melker Ellborg, Sunderland have been quiet in the market in the winter window.
A host of players have been allowed to leave on loan, such as Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil and Arthur Masuaku, suggesting Le Bris is keen to allow some fringe players to get minutes elsewhere.
The transfer window shuts at 7pm on Monday, and it remains to be seen if Sunderland will stick or twist before that deadline passes.
Before then, the Black Cats will hope to get revenge on Burnley in their deadline day clash after losing at Turf Moor at the start of the season.
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