Sunderland are still working to see if they can strengthen their squad before the deadline
Lutsharel Geertruida’s potential deadline-day switch to Liverpool has stalled, with the defender now set to see out the campaign on Wearside.
Geertruida had drawn interest from Arne Slot’s side as they look to bolster their defence for the rest of the campaign, and the Black Cats had been open to facilitating the move. They understood the appeal of the switch to Anfield for the player, who has had a key role on Wearside this season without ever holding down a regular spot in Régis Le Bris’s starting XI. They were in principle open to allowing Liverpool to take over the rest of the loan from RB Leipzig, but only if they were compensated and were able to source a replacement for the 7pm deadline on Monday night. However, that chain of events has proven too complicated to pull off in time and as of Sunday night, all parties expect Geertruida to stay at the Stadium of Light.
Geertruida is expected to be in the Sunderland squad to face Burnley on Monday Night Football as a result. The Netherlands international has played in a variety of positions for the Black Cats since his deadline-day arrival, and his departure would left Le Bris and Sunderland short in a couple of positions. Sunderland had facilitated Marc Guiu’s return to Chelsea on deadline day last summer despite the lack of a recall clause in their season-long deal, in large part because they believed they could now press ahead with a deal to sign Brian Brobbey from Ajax. In a similar scenario they would have allowed Geertruida to leave but his versatlity and quality looks to be too difficult to replace at such short notice.
Sunderland are still working to try and bolster their squad before the deadline on Monday, and have been assessing options in central midfield and the wide areas.
However, Le Bris has made clear that the club will only move if a high-calibre player is available. Speaking on Friday, he said: “I won't comment on individual players but the market is often the same. Many interest, many conversations, not many deals. For us as a club and a team we don't have to rush anything. We're happy with our squad. If we can reinforce our team we'll try. We'll see what happens.
“It's possible. The market is the market and it's unpredictable, and often more active at the end.”
Sunderland had been interested in Chelsea winger Tyrique George, but the youngster was as of Sunday night closing in on an initial loan move to Everton.
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