Sunderland handed transfer blow as Sky Germany drop £20m Lutsharel Geertruida release clause update
Sky Germany have provided an update on Sunderland loanee Lutsharel Geertruida
Sunderland’s option-to-buy clause in their loan agreement for Lutsharel Geertruida has now expired, according to reports in Germany.
The Dutch international spent the 2025/26 campaign at the Stadium of Light having signed from RB Leipzig last summer, but faces continuing uncertainty over his future. While the Black Cats have not yet moved to make his stay in the North East permanent, they revealed in their retained list - released earlier this week - that discussions with Geertruida remain “ongoing”.
To that end, Sky Germany reporter Philipp Hinze has now delivered an update on the situation, suggesting that Sunderland’s “buying option” for the player - believed to be worth around £19.9 million - expired on Wednesday, and is “therefore no longer valid”.
Writing on his personal X account, Hinze continued: “There is interest in the Dutchman from several clubs, including teams from the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga. RB Leipzig are aiming to sell Geertruida permanently this summer.
“Following fresh talks, Sunderland are back in the race, but are trying to negotiate a lower transfer fee, and therefore allowed the option to expire. No decision has been made yet. The defender can now unexpectedly use the stage of the upcoming World Cup to boost his prospects. Geertruida was recently called up as a late addition to the squad.”
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What has Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris said about Lutsharel Geertruida?
Speaking during the latter stages of the season, Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris admitted that he was still unsure as to whether or not Geertruida would still be part of his squad next term.
He said: "I don't know - at the minute he's a player of Sunderland and he did well today, which was a real positive. We still have two games to play and until the end of June he will be with us so we'll see. 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."
Geertruida made 28 Premier League appearances for Sunderland last season, including 17 starts.