Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool target and former Arne Slot STAR now linked with PL rivals

Fabrizio Romano has shared new information regarding a long-time Liverpool target and former key title-winner under Arne Slot at Feyenoord as it’s revealed he could be headed to one of the Reds’ rivals this summer.

According to Romano, Aston Villa are believed to have added versatile Dutchman Lutsharel Geertruida as one of their transfer targets as the Midlands club look to retain Champions League football after an impressive 2023/24 campaign which saw them finish just one place lower than Liverpool.

However it is not just Villa interested in signing Geertruida, as Romano cites RB Leipzig as having also held an interest in the 24 year-old, as the Bundesliga club have allegedly wanted him for at least 12 months at this point.

A physical presence wherever he plays in the side, Geertruida is known for being a leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room, occupying a vice-vice-captaincy role at Feyenoord. Strong and quick for his size, he’s been consistently linked with moves away from the Netherlands.

Geertruida has also featured regularly for the Dutch national team since last year, and was part of their Euro 2024 squad alongside Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch.

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Having been a part of the Feyenoord set-up since he was 12, Geertruida saw his most successful time in Rotterdam come under Liverpool manager Arne Slot, winning the Eredivisie, the Dutch Cup and finishing as runners-up in the Europa Conference League.

New Reds boss Slot has suggested he doesn’t want to work with players whom he already has, in a marked difference to his fellow countryman Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, but Geertruida has long been seen as a player who can play several defensive positions to a high standard. In this regard, he is thought of to be similar to the possibly departing Joe Gomez.