The Black Cats have a decision to make on Geertruida in the next month, with the 25-year-old now at the end of his season-long loan spell from RB Leipzig, an agreement which included a clause for Sunderland to take up the option to make the defender's stay permanent.
Geertruida has been an extremely useful squad player over the course of the campaign for the Black Cats, playing in 28 of the 38 Premier League games and helping out in a number of positions. The utility man has played right-back, centre-half and as a holding midfielder.
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Geertuida was wanted by Liverpool in the January transfer window but Sunderland were unwilling to agree to cut the Dutchman's loan deal short without signing a replacement - which was never going to be easy given his versatility.
But a decision must now be made on whether the deal is made permanent.
Regis Le Bris values Geertruida immensely and will almost certainly want to keep the defender, especially now the Black Cats are preparing for the Europa League and the extra workload competing in Europe will bring.
But it's not clear at this stage whether Geertruida will want to make the switch permanent or assess his options elsewhere.
For all Geertruida has been a key figure at the Stadium of Light this season, he started less than half of Sunderland's Premier League games and went through spells in the campaign when he was used infrequently.
When Geertruida was an unused substitute in four successive Premier League games in April and May, the writing looked to be on the wall.
But he then started the last three games at right-back in the absence of the suspended Dan Ballard and was outstanding, more evidence of how much of a miss he'd be if the deal wasn't to be made permanent.
Le Bris has been reluctant to say too much on the matter, but O'Nien couldn't have been any clearer with his hope for what happens next.
O'Nien said: “He's been top, he's been top level. As a human, as a player, he's incredible. I'd love to see him stay.
"I've asked him every day for God knows how long! I'll try and get him here tonight. I'll give him a napkin, have the contract underneath.
"But he's a phenomenal human, and at the level he's shown in all positions, he's been so important to this team this season, and hopefully many more years.”
Reports in Germany at the start of May claimed a decision had been made that Geertruida would not stay with Sunderland, but Le Bris said he was unaware of such developments.
He said at the time: "It's a bit early to speak about next season because we want to finish this one and after that it's a decision between the player, the club and in this context another club. After that we have to make a decision."
Sunderland also have a decision to make on Bertrand Traore, whose one-year deal expires next month. The Black Cats have the option of a 12-month extension.
Traore was a key figure for Sunderland in the first half of the season but suffered a knee injury while away at the African Cup of Nations. He returned to action in March but then suffered a recurrence of the injury and was forced off after coming on as a late substitute in the victory over Leeds at Elland Road.
He didn't return to the matchday squad until the final day of the season when he was an unused substitute in the win over Chelsea.