Sunderland will seek a compensation fee from Liverpool before allowing Lutsharel Geertruida to rejoin Arne Slot at Anfield.
The Netherlands international has emerged as a leading option to solve Liverpool’s defensive issues, with both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley injured.
Geertruida joined Sunderland on loan from RB Leipzig last summer and the German club have no recall option. That means Sunderland, for whom the 25-year-old has made 17 appearances this season, are in a strong position. It is understood they want compensation for the deal to happen and if that is forthcoming would not stand in the player’s way.
Slot knows Geertruida — who can play at right back, centre half and other positions — well, with the duo having been in tandem when Feyenoord won the Dutch title in 2023.
Initial talks have taken place between Sunderland and Liverpool, who will also have to negotiate with RB Leipzig.
Sunderland are not expected to stand in Geertruida’s way, given the potential size of the move, however they are keen to line up a replacement before they agree to the defender’s departure.
Frimpong will be sidelined for weeks with a groin injury
RICHARD MARTIN-ROBERTS – CAMERASPORT VIA GETTY IMAGES
Geertruida played more than 200 times for Feyenoord before completing a £17million move to RB Leipzig in the summer of 2024, and he made 35 appearances for them before arriving at the Stadium of Light at the end of last summer’s transfer window.
Dominik Szoboszlai played at right back in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday, with Wataru Endo having played there as a substitute against Qarabag last Wednesday following the groin injury to Frimpong.
The 25-year-old will be sidelined for a few weeks, with Bradley’s season having been ended by a knee injury.
Lookman, a former winger with Everton and Fulham, had wanted to join Inter Milan in the summer
EPA/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA
Lookman looking to join Atletico Madrid in £35million move
Ademola Lookman is in talks to join Atletico Madrid from Atalanta in a £35million deal.
Lookman — the former Charlton Athletic, Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City winger — is due to undergo a medical in the Spanish capital.
The 28-year-old had wanted to join Inter Milan in the summer, but that deal was blocked by Atalanta.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are close to completing a loan move for Angel Gomes. The England midfielder is at Marseille whom he joined from Lille last summer.
Meanwhile, Everton are continuing to work on a loan deal for Chelsea’s teenage winger Tyrique George.