A ‘superstar’ is eager to join Aston Villa and play under manager Unai Emery.
Geertruida’s potential transfer to Aston Villa is not imminent, despite his enthusiasm and technical skill.
Villa is pursuing a budget-friendly deal for the talented Feyenoord defender as negotiations continue.
Manager Unai Emery is also looking to add a versatile defender to his squad and is considering a potential loan deal with Manchester City for Jack Grealish.
Aston Villa are not close to finalizing a deal for Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida, despite an agreement with the player being “well advanced,” journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported to GIVEMESPORT.
Geertruida had a standout season with Feyenoord, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 34 Eredivisie appearances, which earned him a spot in the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 squad. His impressive performances have drawn interest from several clubs, including Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain.
Though there were reports suggesting that a deal between Villa and Feyenoord was progressing, Romano has clarified that an agreement between the clubs is still far off. Villa manager Unai Emery and Sporting Director Monchi have identified Geertruida as a potential replacement for Diego Carlos, who is currently the subject of a bid from Fulham.
Romano: Villa ‘Not Close’ to Geertruida Yet
The defender is still likely to leave Feyenoord
Emerging from the Feyenoord academy, Lutsharel Geertruida has grown into a highly skilled defender, described by football analyst Ben Mattinson as a “great player” who is “technically secure” and “aerially strong.” The 24-year-old has made over 200 appearances for his hometown club, and with just one year remaining on his contract, he is seeking a step up in his career.
Aston Villa are keen to provide the Netherlands international with that opportunity, recognizing a potential market advantage to secure him at a reduced price due to his contractual situation. However, despite his contract nearing its end, Romano has indicated that Feyenoord’s firm stance in negotiations could prolong the process of finalizing a deal.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer expert noted:
“It’s ongoing [the Geertruida negotiations], but it’s not that close yet,” Romano explained. “The deal is well advanced on the player’s side because Geertruida is eager to move to the Premier League and compete in the Champions League.
“He’s also really drawn to Unai Emery’s project at Aston Villa. However, negotiating with Feyenoord for Geertruida is always challenging. He’s a key player for them, and every time major clubs have approached Feyenoord in recent years—like Leipzig last year and PSG earlier this summer—it’s been a tough process.
“Feyenoord loves their superstars like Hanchko and Geertruida, and they don’t make it easy to negotiate for these players because they want to keep them at the club.”
Emery is keen on adding another defender to his ensemble this summer, and will retain hope that a deal for Geerturida will eventually come to fruition. It’s understood that the Spanish head coach wants a hybrid player who can operate at both right-back and centre-back, to be a successor to the possibly departing Carlos, with the Dutchman fitting this profile.
| Geertruida’s Eredivisie Statistics 2023/24 | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 34 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Pass Accuracy | 89.6% |
| Progressive Passes Per 90 | 7.93 |
| Key Passes Per 90 | 1.21 |
| Tackles and Interceptions Per 90 | 2.37 |
| Aerial Duels Per 90 | 0.62 |
Villa Eyeing Shock Move for Grealish
A deal could initially be a loan
In addition to seeking another defensive reinforcement, Aston Villa are also in the market for a replacement for Moussa Diaby, who departed the club to join Al-Ittihad earlier this summer. The Birmingham-based side is reportedly considering an ambitious move to bring Manchester City’s Jack Grealish back to Villa Park.
Unai Emery is prepared to offer Grealish assurances over playing time and a chance at redemption, particularly after the winger struggled to maintain a consistent role at the Etihad last season. The proposed deal could initially be a loan, with an option for a permanent transfer included. However, it remains uncertain whether Manchester City would be willing to approve the move.