Sunderland ready deadline-busting hijack to bring Lutsharel Geertruida to Stadium of Light
Sunderland are in the market for defensive reinforcements, and have now turned their attention to Lutsharel Geertruida.
Sunderland’s 2-1 victory against Brentford saw the Black Cats retain their 100 per cent win ratio at the Stadium of Light, though with the international break approaching, all attention will be turned to the final hours of the summer transfer window.
12 new arrivals have checked in on Wearside so far this summer, with Sunderland looking to add two more before Monday’s deadline.
Jhon Lucumi was thought to be one of them who could move to the Stadium of Light, but the latest update on Dutch defender Geertruida suggests otherwise.
Marseille reach agreement with Lutsharel Geertruida, Sunderland make late attempt to hijack
Geertruida struggled to acclimatise to life in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig last year, which has, in turn, seen him linked with an exit this summer.
Now, according to Santi Aouna via X, Sunderland have joined the race to sign the 25-year-old, who has already reached a contract agreement with Ligue 1 giants Marseille.
Before his move to Germany, Geertruida was ripping it up for Feyenoord, scoring 24 times in 202 appearances, despite typically playing as a centre-back.
If he is to leave Leipzig this summer, it is likely to be a loan deal.
Sunderland can sign four players on loan, and with Marc Guiu their only current loanee, they still have room for several others.
If a deal can be struck, this would be yet another major coup for the Black Cats, who are set to give it a real go when it comes to surviving in the Premier League.
Jhon Lucumi deal could still be on the cards
Geertruida is a right-sided defender, which would immediately suggest that he isn’t an alternative to Sunderland-linked Lucumi.
Instead, it seems like an opportunity has emerged for an unexpected arrival on Wearside, and Regis Le Bris and co are looking to use it.
While there may be nothing in the links, and potentially just just agent talks to accelerate a deal, it would not be a surprise to see the Wearsiders conclude a deal out of nowhere in the next 24 hours.
A forward remains on the shopping list, with a new defender also evidently a priority.
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