Aston Villa are engaged in advanced talks with Lutsharel Geertruida ahead of a potential move to Birmingham in the coming period.
According to Foot Mercato, Aston Villa are advancing in their pursuit of Lutsharel Geertruida ahead of the final weeks of the transfer window. Unai Emery has earmarked the Dutch versatile defender as his crucial target to replace Diego Carlos, who is likely to join Fulham soon.
Aston Villa in Lutsharel Geertruida talks
Lutsharel Geertruida was expected to make a big career switch this summer after yet another fantastic season in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord. Earlier reports pointed at him following former manager Arne Slot to Liverpool, but those links have gone quiet rather quickly.
Aston Villa had opened talks for the defender a while back and are now considered the favourites to land him. The report does mention PSG’s interest and claims the Parisians had made an offer to the 24-year-old versatile Dutchman back in June, although they have since gone quiet on the pursuit.
Aston Villa are in an advanced stage of their negotiations, and talks are ongoing with the player himself about a move. Feyenoord are demanding around €32 million for the 24-year-old versatile Dutchman, something Unai Emery’s side is open to paying.
Geertruida is expected to replace Fulham-linked Diego Carlos, who Emery will allow to leave as the Spaniard strengthens his squad ahead of the new season. The Dutchman’s versatility provides Villa with many options for changing and rotating their defenders as Champions League football awaits Villa Park.
Geertruida, the perfect fit for Aston Villa
Last season, Emery used Ezri Konsa predominantly as a right-back while thriving with a central partnership of Carlos and Pau Torres. The return of Tyrone Mings is a big boost for Emery, although, at the start of the season, he would move Konsa to his customary centre-back role.
This means there’s a space to fill at right-back, as Emery could use Matty Cash as a squad option, especially when he changes his setup to play with wing-backs. Geertruida can also play in central defence as well as defensive midfielder, with the 24-year-old versatile Dutchman giving Emery more options with him in the team.
