- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Aston Villa are set to win the race to sign Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geetruida this summer.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have been busy this summer with the club embarking on their first season of Champions League football in the Premier League era and the Midlands side have certainly been active in the summer transfer market.
Villa have signed Everton’s Amadou Onana for £50 million and have brought in Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen to the club for a fee in the region of £40 million.
It seems that Villa are not done there with defensive additions with HITC understanding that the Villains are pushing ahead with their move for Dutch right-back Lutsharel Geertruida, who can fill in at both right-back and centre-back.
Villa agree Lutsharel Geertruida deal
HITC understands that a deal in principle has been agreed between Villa and Feyenoord which would see the promising Dutch defender move to Villa Park.
Personal terms are also understood to be done in principle between the two parties with an overall deal worth around €42million (£35million) which includes add-ons.
Villa are understood to want the Dutchman in Birmingham for a medical on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Feyenoord were hoping to tie down Geertruida to a new deal and it is our understanding that the Dutch defender would likely sign a new deal if the move to Villa Park collapsed.
Matty Cash was linked with a move away from Villa Park so Geertruida will provide that extra depth and eventually become first choice right-back for the club you feel.
We reported back in early August that Villa were interested in Geertruida and it now appears they have won the race for the 24-year-old defender.
Villa fend off rival interest in Geertruida
HITC understands that there was rival interest in the Dutch defender but, barring any last minute hitches in the deal, the right-back will be a Villa player.
We also reported that Villa were scouting Geertruida with Manchester City and Liverpool present so perhaps it was one of these two English sides who expressed an interest in the defender.
Mario Been, the legendary Feyenoord midfielder, had no doubts about the 24-year-old’s ability to make the step up to a club of Aston Villa’s ambitions.
“Just try to stop a boy like that”, Been told ESPN. “Of course he wants to make a step to a big competition. Is he ready for that? Absolutely. Definitely.” With the defensive quality that Villa already possess, it may be difficult for the Dutchman to break into the first-team originally.
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