Liverpool transfers: Reds suddenly face battle for Lutsharel Geertruida

Liverpool now have a rival for the 23-year-old defender they hoped to grab. It’s a battle they might struggle to win.

Bild reports that RB Leipzig have made Lutsharel Geertruida their priority signing this summer. The Feyenoord right-back nearly joined them a year ago, only for a deal to fall apart.

But they're now back in for the 23-year-old, who is expected to leave Feyenoord. The Eredivisie winner has been a star for the side.

In fact, Geertruida has been strongly linked with Liverpool. Arne Slot's impending arrival makes it an obvious transfer, and claims in the Netherlands suggested he was actually likely to make the move.

Marcel van der Kraal of De Telegraaf made that claim last week, saying:

"I think the chance of Geertruida going [to Liverpool] is greater than fifty percent. He is on the radar and has done fantastically in the Dutch national team and in the Champions League, it is a boy who physically fits the best with the Premier League of all Feyenoord players."

Now, though, Liverpool face tough competition from a team that seems determined to finally get their man.

RB Leipzig in for Lutsharel Geertruida

Liverpool might end up with a fantastic reason for signing Geertruida this summer - Joe Gomez's rumoured exit. Gomez has become a brilliant utility man for the Reds, and the Dutchman fills that role nicely.

However, it makes little sense to sign him if Gomez doesn't leave. And even if he does, Geertruida still wouldn't be walking into a regular first-XI role at Liverpool.

He would have a much bigger chance of that at Leipzig and if they're serious about Geertruida, Liverpool might be relying on the pull of Slot - that and being a bigger club, of course.

Leipzig would be a fierce rival, though, and one that really could swing Geertruida away from Liverpool.