Arne Slot will be delighted as Liverpool have a second chance at signing Dutch defender Lutsharel Geertruida following the latest developments.<\/p>\n
Geertruida starred under Slot at Feyenoord, helping the club win the Eredivisie title in the 2022-23 season and the Dutch Cup the following campaign. The right-back, who can also play in central defence, signed for RB Leipzig in August 2024 before joining Sunderland on a season-long loan last summer.<\/p>\n
Slot and Geertruida came close to reuniting in January. Slot told Liverpool<\/a> to sign the Netherlands international to end their right-back issues, and the two parties agreed personal terms.<\/p>\n The move failed to reach completion as Sunderland could not find a replacement before the winter deadline, but talks could now reignite.<\/p>\n Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg<\/a> has revealed that Geertruida \u2018will not stay at Sunderland\u2019 as they have declined to activate their \u20ac23million (\u00a320m) option to buy.<\/p>\n The player will \u2018initially return to Leipzig\u2019 before swiftly joining a new club, as a permanent departure is \u2018considered likely\u2019.<\/p>\n Geertruida<\/a> has interest from \u2018clubs across Europe\u2019s top five leagues\u2019, and \u2018initial enquiries\u2019 have already been made.<\/p>\n Leipzig are in a position to command a decent fee for the 25-year-old as his contract with them runs for another three years.<\/p>\n It will likely be around the \u00a320m mark, which represents good value for a versatile player with both international and Premier League experience.<\/p>\n Plettenberg\u2019s update does not name Liverpool, but the Reds are highly likely to be weighing up a move for Geertruida at Slot\u2019s request.<\/p>\n He trusts the defender and would probably love a reunion at Anfield. Right-back has been a problem position for Liverpool this term, and signing Geertruida would immediately solve that.<\/p>\n Liverpool captured Jeremie Frimpong to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer, while Conor Bradley was expected to step up.<\/p>\n But Frimpong has struggled with hamstring problems, and Bradley underwent surgery on a knee injury in January, ruling him out until next season.<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/strong><\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Geertruida could replace Frimpong at Liverpool<\/p>\n Even when Frimpong has returned to full fitness, Slot has decided to use him as a right winger at times, instead putting Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back.<\/p>\n Slot<\/a> does not seem to trust Frimpong\u2019s ability to defend, instead opting to prioritise his pace and attacking threat.<\/p>\n Slot would much rather rely on Geertruida in a defensive capacity, and Liverpool now have the opportunity to strike a deal.<\/p>\n We revealed on March 26 that Liverpool are leading a five-club battle to sign him<\/a>.<\/p>\n Liverpool look set to completely overhaul their right side this summer, as a replacement for Mohamed Salah is also needed.<\/p>\n Stars from Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur are among six Premier League forwards being eyed by FSG<\/a>.<\/p>\n