Flight booked’ as RB Leipzig land Tottenham Hotspurs, Aston Villa with superb Dutch signing

In a surprising twist in the transfer market, RB Leipzig is set to secure Lutsharel Geertruida, leaving Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa disappointed. The Dutch defender, who has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in the Eredivisie, appears to be Leipzig’s latest acquisition, with the deal reportedly nearing completion.

Geertruida has attracted significant attention due to his impressive performances at Feyenoord. The 24-year-old showcased his versatility by excelling both as a central defender and a right-back. His contributions were pivotal in Feyenoord’s successful 2022-23 Eredivisie campaign, where he helped his team clinch the Dutch title. Over the past season, Geertruida’s stats were remarkable, with nine goals and five assists from 47 appearances, highlighting his offensive prowess from defensive positions.

The strong performances at Feyenoord earned Geertruida a spot in the Dutch national team and caught the eye of numerous top European clubs. Liverpool, in particular, showed interest, especially after appointing Arne Slot, the Feyenoord coach who worked closely with Geertruida. However, despite initial links, Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes seemed to have other targets in mind.

Aston Villa, another Premier League club, had Geertruida on their radar since July. They admired his talent and considered him a potential addition to their squad. Tottenham also explored the possibility of making a move for the player. However, both clubs appear to be on the brink of missing out on signing the talented Dutchman.

The latest update from renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicates that RB Leipzig has made significant progress in securing Geertruida. According to Romano, Leipzig has arranged for a medical examination scheduled for Friday, which is transfer deadline day. The deal is set to be finalized with Leipzig agreeing to pay more than €25 million (£21 million) for Geertruida.

Leipzig’s swift action to bring Geertruida on board comes after their decision to let current defender Mohamed Simakan leave. Simakan has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Newcastle United, but he is expected to join Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia for €45 million (£37.8 million). This transfer will see Simakan join a team that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, further highlighting the high-profile nature of the move.

Although there were speculations about Leipzig potentially replacing Simakan with Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Romano dismisses this possibility, suggesting that Leipzig’s focus shifted solely to Geertruida once Simakan’s departure became imminent.

The acquisition of Geertruida by Leipzig could have implications for future transfer windows. Tottenham and Liverpool might revisit their interest in the Dutch defender if he performs well in the Bundesliga. Leipzig is known for nurturing and then selling top talents, and both Premier League clubs have historically capitalized on this strategy to enhance their squads.

Moreover, Liverpool’s recent appointment of Arne Slot, who previously managed Geertruida at Feyenoord, could have facilitated a smoother transition had Geertruida ended up at Anfield. Slot’s familiarity with the player might have made Liverpool an attractive destination, but it seems Leipzig’s approach was more successful this time.

As the transfer window progresses, the focus will be on how well Geertruida adapts to the Bundesliga and whether he lives up to the high expectations placed upon him. Tottenham and Liverpool might yet find themselves in competition for his services in the future, especially if Leipzig continues its trend of developing and selling top talents.

In summary, the transfer saga surrounding Lutsharel Geertruida has reached a crucial juncture, with RB Leipzig on the verge of finalizing a deal for the Dutch star. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, who had shown interest in Geertruida, are likely to face disappointment as Leipzig prepares to secure the talented defender. The outcome of this transfer could influence future movements in the market and potentially open opportunities for other clubs to engage with Leipzig’s well-regarded talent pool.