Premier League transfer rule explained as Liverpool opens talks over Lutsharel Geertruida deal

Liverpool has opened talks over a move for Lutsharel Geertruida, who is currently on loan at fellow Premier League side Sunderland from RB Leipzig

Lutsharel Geertruida of Sunderland in action

Liverpool has made a late move for defender Lutsharel Geertruida but faces a battle to get the deal over the line before the transfer window closes.

The Reds have opened talks over a deal for Geertruida, who is currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig. Arne Slot is eager to strengthen his defense, having lost Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni to long-term injuries, while Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez are also sidelined.

Liverpool.com understands that the Dutch international is one of several options under consideration before Monday's deadline but there is an acceptance that it will be a difficult deal to complete.

Geertruida, who played under Slot at Feyenoord, joined Sunderland on loan in September and has made 17 appearances in an impressive campaign for the newly-promoted side under Regis Le Bris.

Sunderland paid a loan fee of around £2 million ($2.8M) to take the defender for the season, with an option to buy him this summer for £21m ($29M). The Sunderland Echo reports there is no break clause in his contract at the Stadium of Light,

The Black Cats would need to find a replacement before they sanction Geertruida's exit and would have to cancel his loan, paving the way for him to effectively return to Leipzig before joining Liverpool. It is reported that his loan club will not stand in his way, providing it can find a solution.

FIFA and Premier League rules state that a player can only play for two clubs in one season but that would not be an issue for the 25-year-old, who didn't make an appearance for Leipzig before his summer move.

Sunderland is due to play Burnley on Monday night and it appears unlikely that Geertruida will be involved, should transfer talks progress in the next 24 hours.

He has already made his feelings clear on Slot and has indicated he would be keen to play for the Liverpool boss again, should the opportunity arise.

Speaking in 2024, he said: "Arne managed to get the best out of me. He was never afraid to give me some harsh truths and was always correct in what he said about me.

"I believe he was a game changer for Feyernoord as soon as he arrived in Rotterdam. We always looked to play a dominant style of football, no matter the opponent.

"He is an intelligent coach who knows how he wants to go about things. Off-the-field he is, also, very open and is always prepared to listen to what you have to say and is easy to have a conversation with."