Ajax has officially entered the race for Lutsharel Geertruida, submitting an inquiry to RB Leipzig for the 26-year-old Dutch international defender, according to reports from De Telegraaf. The club from Amsterdam faces stiff competition from PSV, which has pursued the versatile back for weeks, though the Bundesliga side reportedly prefers a permanent sale over a loan deal.
Ajax Enters the Race for Geertruida Amid Squad Overhaul
According to De Telegraaf, Ajax made their move for Lutsharel Geertruida on Wednesday, reaching out directly to RB Leipzig. The Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax is actively looking to bolster its defensive ranks by signing an extra right-footed central defender. Internal squad planning suggests that current defenders Ko Itakura and Josip Sutalo no longer feature in the club’s long-term plans at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Securing the signature of the 26-year-old defender will require navigating a complex financial landscape. Reports indicate that RB Leipzig values the player at approximately eighteen million euros according to De Telegraaf and favors a definitive transfer. While PSV has pursued a loan agreement, De Telegraaf notes that Ajax could potentially generate the necessary funds to meet Leipzig’s asking price should Mika Godts complete a departure to Paris Saint-Germain. Alternatively, Ajax is also examining whether a loan structure remains negotiable with the German club.
Transfer Stance from RB Leipzig and Competing Suitors
Lutsharel Geertruida remains tied to RB Leipzig under a contract that runs until mid-2029, giving the Bundesliga outfit significant leverage in negotiations. The defender moved to Germany in the summer of 2024 from Feyenoord for a reported fee of twenty million euros according to De Telegraaf. After featuring in 35 official matches for Leipzig and contributing one goal and one assist, he spent the following campaign on loan in England with Sunderland, making 30 appearances without scoring.
The race for the Oranje international has intensified across the Eredivisie. PSV has held a persistent interest in taking the player on loan, while foreign clubs have also monitored his situation following his stint in the English leagues. Because of his deep roots in Rotterdam—having amassed 202 official appearances, 24 goals, and 11 assists for Feyenoord—any potential switch to domestic rivals Ajax or PSV would carry significant emotional weight for supporters in Rotterdam-Zuid, where the defender remains a popular figure.
What Comes Next in the Transfer Window
As the transfer window progresses, the immediate future of Lutsharel Geertruida depends on whether RB Leipzig softens its stance on a loan arrangement or if an Eredivisie club meets the eighteen million euro valuation according to De Telegraaf through a permanent sale. Observers will monitor potential developments regarding Mika Godts’ status at Ajax, as well as any counter-moves from PSV in the coming days.
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