Sunderland have yet to complete any transfer business this summer, but an important window lies ahead. The Black Cats are in ongoing talks to sign Lutsharel Geertruida on a permanent deal after the defender impressed during his loan spell last season.
Released List and Geertruida Talks
The club's released list provided insight into their summer plans. Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin, Niall Huggins, and Bertrand Traore all departed. Sunderland confirmed they are negotiating with Lutsharel Geertruida to make his move to Wearside permanent. As reported by Chronicle Live last week, sources reiterated that no final decision has been made by the club or player, despite European reports claiming Geertruida would return to RB Leipzig. Sky Germany reports that Sunderland are now negotiating a cheaper transfer fee for the versatile defender, whose option-to-buy for £18 million expired on Wednesday night.
The Dutch international is currently in the United States with the Netherlands, which may delay talks regarding his future. Geertruida was not originally in Ronald Koeman's squad but traveled as a training player and was later called up after Jurrien Timber's injury ruled him out of the tournament. Some dominos have fallen into place for Sunderland, but a good tournament performance could work against them. The time difference and focus on the World Cup mean Geertruida's priority is elsewhere for now. However, Arne Slot's departure from Liverpool and Robin Van Persie's exit from Feyenoord rule out two potential transfer avenues for the player.
Geertruida's Impact and Interest
Although Geertruida found game time limited, he played an integral part in Sunderland's Europa League qualification. The Black Cats could benefit from signing a player with plenty of European experience. An £18 million fee seemed a bargain in today's market, and the club knows what they will get from the player. However, they cannot be blamed for trying to negotiate a cheaper fee, especially since Geertruida still has three years left on his RB Leipzig contract. Participation in the Europa League means Regis Le Bris will have to rotate his squad more, which should mean more game time for Geertruida if an agreement is struck. With interest from other Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga sides, Sunderland may need to move quickly.
Important Summer Transfer Timeline
The consensus in the final weeks of the season was that Sunderland would have to wait until after the World Cup to conduct most of their transfer business. Qualification for the Europa League may change that plan slightly, but given the club's place in the pecking order, it should be a slower transfer window. The club has stressed there will not be a major overhaul like last summer, with the core squad already in place. Four or five new players are being targeted, with the potential for more if there are high-profile departures. Sunderland hopes that Europa League qualification will act as a carrot for their young talents, many of whom will be playing in Europe for the first time. The club knows they need to add quality to cope with the rigours of European football and a congested fixture list. The Black Cats will have an eye on the tournament for potential transfer targets, but expect bigger clubs to move first when the World Cup ends. Only then will Sunderland be able to make their moves.
January Gem Shines
One Sunderland star receiving rave reviews on international duty is January signing Jocelin Ta Bi. The 21-year-old made his debut against Fulham and looked bright before an ankle injury ended his campaign. The youngster was not risked towards the end of the season as Sunderland pushed for a European spot. As mentioned in last week's transfer notebook, the Ivory Coast star will be like a new signing. He has shone for his country in the Maurice Revello Tournament, playing three games, scoring four goals, and being named man of the match twice. Ivory Coast top their group after four games, though other sides have games in hand.
