Liverpool have big advantage over Arsenal in deal for RB Leipzig star

Liverpool still look short in certain areas during this summer’s transfer window.

Although deals have been done for Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz there is still space for more players in Andoni Iraola’s first-team squad.

The outgoing Premier League champions require quality and depth at right-back - while another experienced campaigner could be a shrewd move at centre-back.

Liverpool and Arsenal want Geertruida

One solution could be to add Lutsharel Geertruida - who spent last season on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig.

The Dutch defender, 25, was the subject of intense Liverpool interest in January but ultimately the deal proved too complicated to get over the line.

According to a report in Caught Offside the Reds - as well as Arsenal - are set to fight it out for Arne Slot’s former Feyenoord captain.

With Leipzig under pressure to make sales we could see a deal for Geertruida concluded for around £20m - a bargain for a player of his stature and versatility.

Liverpool's advantage over Arsenal: First-team football

“Arsenal have placed Lutsharel Geertruida on their shortlist for the right-back position, with the club’s board attracted by his versatility and experience,” the report reads.

“Liverpool are also said to be monitoring the Dutch international as Iraola looks for a modern full-back who can contribute in possession and provide defensive flexibility.

“Liverpool could offer him a clearer route to regular football.”

Lutsharel Geertruida: Situation summary

Lutsharel Geertruida is a multi‑role defender, comfortable at right‑back, centre‑back and as a screening midfielder, who defends aggressively but reads the game well enough to step into passing lanes and start build‑up from deep.

He brings strong recovery pace, aerial competence and the confidence to carry into midfield, so coaches can flip between back four and back three structures without changing personnel.

He remains under contract at RB Leipzig until 2029, having joined from Feyenoord in 2024 and then spent 2025‑26 on loan at Sunderland, where he banked regular Premier League minutes and reminded clubs of his versatility.

The loan, with a purchase option in the €20–23m region, was explicitly framed by Leipzig as a development move, but it doubles as a soft shop window ahead of his prime years.

On the transfer front, Liverpool did reach full agreement on personal terms in January and worked on a mid‑season deal, while Everton, Villa, Spurs and others were also credited with interest, yet no transfer was completed before the window shut.

As of July 2026 he’s back at Leipzig with his future unresolved, and the realistic outlook is another move being explored this summer – either a permanent sale in the €25m bracket to a Premier League club, or a reintegration into Leipzig’s rotation if bids don’t reach their valuation.