Liverpool are exploring a deal to sign Lutsharel Geertruida from RB Leipzig before Monday’s January transfer deadline.
The Reds are badly in need of some help at both right-back and centre-back and have seemingly identified the Dutchman as someone who could do both jobs.
Reports on Sunday morning claim that Liverpool are in talks over a loan move for Geertruida, but that a deal being agreed is nothing like a formality at this stage.
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The 25-year-old is on loan at Sunderland from Leipzig, making another potential loan to Liverpool somewhat tricky.
Any move would have to be given the green light by the Black Cats, and with things needing to be wrapped up very quickly, their stance on allowing Geertruida to leave has been revealed.
Sunderland happy to let Lutsharel Geertruida leave
Geertruida has played a decent part in Sunderland’s excellent return to the Premier League this season but has not been a key player for them.
10 league starts have been complemented by seven further appearances from the bench, with the Netherlands international yet to record either a goal or an assist.
READ MORE: Lutsharel Geertruida ‘not the only active option’ for Liverpool as Reds prepare late transfer move
And according to North East based reported Keith Downie of Sky Sports, Sunderland would not stand in Geertruida’s way of moving to Liverpool, as long as they can source a replacement.
“Lutsharel Geertruida is in talks over a move to Liverpool,” Downie says on X. “The Dutch defender is on a season-long loan at Sunderland (from RB Leipzig) but Sunderland they won’t stand in his way due to scale of the opportunity.
“SAFC also want to bring in a replacement before they sanction a move for the 25-year-old. Geertruida played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord. There is no break clause in the contract so nothing happens without Sunderland’s blessing.”
Who could be Liverpool’s short-term right-back transfer fix?
How likely is a move to happen?
While it is good news that Sunderland will not stand in the way of a deal being agreed here, there should be some worry amongst fans that this will get done.
A loan agreement with Leipzig should not be an issue given that they already signed off on Geertruida being away for the season, but rather Sunderland’s insistence on finding a replacement could cause trouble.
With less than 48 hours to go before the window shuts, there is not a lot of time for the Black Cats to bring someone in themselves.
Liverpool should not be relying on another team sorting something out given the strength of their need in getting a body through the door.
The Reds could yet pivot to other options, so hopefully they can sign someone up anyway, but it will quickly become clear just how possible Geertruida’s arrival is. For now, it seems to be something akin to 50/50.
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