Ajax have formally approached RB Leipzig about the availability of defender Lutsharel Geertruida, Sky Sports Germany reports, as the Amsterdam club works to plug short-term gaps in its defence ahead of the new season.
Loan preferred by Dutch clubs as Leipzig seek a permanent sale
According to the report, Ajax want to secure Geertruida on loan. RB Leipzig, by contrast, would prefer a permanent transfer and are understood to be asking €20 million for the former Feyenoord academy graduate. Ajax, along with domestic rivals PSV and Feyenoord, are said to be unwilling to meet that valuation.
The 23-year-old — comfortable at centre-back and at right-back — has already reached a personal agreement with PSV, the report states, while Feyenoord are also considering a return for their Rotterdam-born product, who made his professional debut at De Kuip. Competition for Geertruida’s services has been reported from Saudi Arabia, Spain and England.
"Ajax are urgently searching for defensive reinforcements."
That urgency stems from Ajax’s current situation in central defence. Josip Sutalo is not yet match-fit and looks likely to leave this summer, while Ko Itakura has been given freedom to find a new club. The combination of injuries and potential departures has left Ajax short of options across the back line, pushing the club to explore multiple profiles in the transfer market.
How Geertruida fits Ajax’s needs
Geertruida’s profile — a defender who can operate centrally or on the right — addresses Ajax’s immediate practical needs. A loan deal would offer Ajax a lower-cost, short-term solution while preserving flexibility should Sutalo return to fitness or the club complete other long-term signings.
- Versatility: Can play at centre-back and right-back.
- Personal terms: Reportedly agreed with PSV; Ajax still in talks.
- Market pressure: Interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, Spain and England.
Sky’s reporting suggests that if no permanent offer satisfies Leipzig by the end of the window, the German club could be open to a loan arrangement. That scenario would favour Ajax and PSV, who prefer temporary moves rather than a large transfer outlay.
Immediate implications for Ajax fans in Ontario and at home
For supporters following Ajax from Ajax, Ont., and the broader Ontario Dutch community, transfers like this carry both sporting and cultural interest. Geertruida is a product of the Dutch system, and moves between the Netherlands’ top clubs and continental sides are watched closely by fans who track youth development, tactical fit and the club’s transfer policy.
Should Ajax secure a loan, the club would gain depth for the opening weeks of the season while keeping options open for a permanent reshuffle later in the window. Conversely, a failure to land Geertruida could intensify pressure on the club to promote from within or to accelerate other signings, with consequences for team chemistry and tactical planning under the current coaching staff.
| Club | Position on Geertruida | Preferred move |
|---|---|---|
| RB Leipzig | Owner | Sell (asking €20 million) |
| Ajax | Enquirer | Loan |
| PSV | Interested (player agreement reached) | Loan or transfer |
| Feyenoord | Considering return | Undisclosed |
Ajax’s recruitment decisions over the coming days will be watched closely. With the transfer market still active and multiple parties involved, the final outcome for Geertruida — loan, sale or staying at Leipzig — remains uncertain.
The club’s preference for a loan highlights a cautious approach: address immediate needs without committing to a large investment while navigating competition from abroad and the fitness concerns within the current squad.
