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Lutsharel Geertruida will not be attending Sunderland This summer, the Black Cats decided not to sign him on a permanent basis.

Journalist Philip Hinz reports that a decision has been taken At the Stadium of Light. Geertruida will not be at Sunderland this summer.

Sunderland decided

The 25-year-old joined Sunderland on loan from RB Leipzig in the summer. That deal includes the option to make Sunderland permanent for €23m. However, it is an option to buy rather than an obligation.

And it seems Sunderland have decided not to buy the defender this summer. Hinge reports that the decision has been made and there is ‘internal clarity’ on the matter.

Geertruida would initially return to Leipzig at the end of the season. However, ‘chances are big’ that the 25-year-old will not continue in the Bundesliga either. A permanent solution is being found for this.

Preliminary inquiries have already taken place at the Bundesliga club. Geertruida has a market in one of the top five leagues in Europe. Potential interested clubs and proposals are being carefully assessed and evaluated.

The defender has been a regular for Sunderland this season. He has made 25 appearances in the Premier League, although he has only featured in 49% of the available minutes. Where he ends up remains to be seen.

Liverpool interested?

There may be interest in the Premier League. Reports in England over the past few months have linked Liverpool with interest.

The defender worked under Arne Slot at Feyenoord and reportedly, he is interested in his former player. A deal was explored in the January transfer window, but Lutsharel Geertruida ultimately remained at Sunderland.

But now that he is returning to Leipzig in the summer, the door could open for the Reds. And with the German side keen to move him on, it is certainly an opportunity for them to find out if they need more defensive cover this summer.

AS Saint-Étienne are hoping watford To sign Pierre Acqua permanently in the summer.

The Ligue 2 side, following a poor run of results, allowed the midfielder to move on loan to Watford in the winter market.

In August 2024, he joined Saint-Étienne from Sunderland with an option to buy initially set at €7m. At the time, they were in Ligue 1, and had performed regularly in the previous season.

The French club dropped out of the top division but moved up nonetheless and made their stay permanent using the stream.

This clearly did not please the 24-year-old, who refused to train with Saint-Étienne. Last September, Sports Witness broadcast news He is considering terminating his contract unilaterally.

However, he did not make the move, allowing his parent club to loan him to the Championship team in February.

He waited several weeks to make his debut for the Hornets.

Two months ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from France It will take time for him to get minutes. Before moving to Vicarage Road, he last made a competitive appearance in May 2025.

The situation is improving in Watford

Pierre Acqua made his debut for the English club in a 2–0 league defeat to Ipswich Town in February. Since then, Edward Still has given him minutes and the player has begun to gain prominence in recent weeks.

His championship statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 7
• Start: 3
• Total minutes: 280
• Minutes per game: 40

As a player continues to start more games toward the end of the season his average minutes will improve.

green peopleA website that dedicates its coverage to the French club has a report on a possible exit for the next window.

The former Sunderland man’s recent improvement at Watford has pleased Saint-Étienne. He is hoping to make his stay permanent by using Still’s €7m buyout clause.

If this happens, it would provide the ‘significant financial benefit’ that the French club is looking for.

Our Opinion: Hornets can request transfer waiver

As of now, it is unclear whether Watford want to retain Pierre Acqua and if they do, whether they are willing to pay €7m.

If the decision is made to retain the midfielder, the Hornets can certainly try to reduce the price.

It is known that he has no future at Saint-Étienne, and the Championship club could take advantage of this to bring down the final price. This will happen only if Watford decides to buy him.