RB Leipzig player can leave for $23M this summer after Liverpool transfer interest

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Liverpool tried to sign Lutsharel Geertruida at the end of the winter transfer window, only for Sunderland to be unable to find a replacement in time for the deal to happenLutsharel Geertruida during the friendly game between the Netherlands and Ecuador on March 31, 2026.(Image: ANP via Getty Images)When Liverpool was short of options in the winter transfer window, it explored a move for a player that Arne Slot knows well. In theory, he was ideal: he can play right-back and holding midfield, two positions where Liverpool was light of numbers, and he already had an existing relationship with Slot, having worked under the Dutchman when he played for Feyenoord.There was just one problem, however.

Geertruida is currently on loan at Sunderland, and while the Black Cats would not stand in his way when Liverpool came in, they did insist on finding a replacement first.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah to announce next club as Liverpool farewell plunged into doubtREAD MORE: Jurgen Klopp gives honest assessment of Florian Wirtz's first season at LiverpoolWith Liverpool's move coming late in the month, there was no time for Sunderland to get anyone else in. As a result, it was decided that Geertruida would remain put.According to BILD, though, when the summer transfer window opens, Geertruida will be allowed to leave for a fee of around $23 million (£17 million), whether that is to sign for Sunderland or to move elsewhere.At 25, Geertuida's best years should still be ahead of him.

There is a case for Liverpool adding more depth at full-back and in midfield heading into the summer too.Liverpool tried to sign Lutsharel Geertruida late on in the winter transfer window(Image: Getty Images)While Liverpool was in for Geertruida then, it went for Jeremy Jacquet strongly, and the French center-back will join his new team in the summer.Sunderland might not sign Geertruida permanently either, as Regis Le Bris admitted shortly after the interest from Liverpool emerged at the end of January."I think his main strength is versatility, and probably in this industry, the most usual pathway is to stay in one position," Le Bris said, via the Sunderland Echo."I think we have to value his versatility, because it's his strength. But facts are facts, it's just the end of the process, do you want to sign or not, and it wasn't so clear finally."Liverpool.com says: Geertruida is a steady operator and he would add depth at Anfield.