Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was among those to react to Fabrizio Romano’s update on the club’s transfer situation
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has offered a subtle but telling reaction to fresh transfer speculation involving Lutsharel Geertruida, after liking a social media post from Fabrizio Romano stating that Liverpool’s move for the defender is off.
Romano posted the update on Instagram on Monday afternoon, reporting that Liverpool had failed in their attempts to land the Dutch international, with negotiations taking place over the past 24 hours but no agreement reached. The post explicitly stated that Sunderland had made it clear they would need clarity on any potential deal immediately, otherwise the transfer would not progress.
Louis-Dreyfus was among those to like the post – a small interaction, but one that has not gone unnoticed by Sunderland supporters, given the timing and context. While no official comment has been made by the club, the reaction appears to underline Sunderland’s firm stance on the situation as the transfer window edges towards its close.
Geertruida is currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, a factor that has complicated any prospective move elsewhere. There is no recall clause in the agreement, meaning any transfer would have required the consent of all parties, including Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris. With the window closing on Monday, the Black Cats were also reluctant to sanction a departure that would have left them scrambling for a replacement at short notice.
Liverpool’s interest was driven by mounting defensive issues at Anfield. Liverpool are currently without Conor Bradley for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury, while Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined for several weeks with a groin problem. There is also longer-term uncertainty around Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract is set to expire this summer.
Geertruida, who previously worked under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, was viewed as an attractive option due to his versatility. The 25-year-old is capable of operating at right-back, centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, and has been a key figure during his loan spell on Wearside.
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However, the complexity of the deal – involving three clubs, a lack of recall provision and Sunderland’s unwillingness to weaken their squad so late in the window – appears to have proved decisive. Romano’s update also referenced comments from Inter president Giuseppe Marotta, who confirmed that a separate move involving Denzel Dumfries and Liverpool was also off, reinforcing the sense that Liverpool’s defensive plans have stalled.
Louis-Dreyfus’ decision to like the post may have been understated, but it aligned neatly with Sunderland’s position throughout the saga. Rather than allowing uncertainty to linger, the club have prioritised stability and clarity – and the owner’s quiet acknowledgement of the update has only added to the sense that, from Sunderland’s perspective, the matter is now settled.
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