While many a Premier League club is facing a race against time getting bodies through the door before Friday’s 11pm deadline, Aston Villa can rest a little easier.
Unai Emery must feel like one of those over-prepared university students heading towards the end of term. While the likes of Leicester City and Newcastle United spend the final 24 hours stocking up on Red Bulls and pulling all-nighters, Emery’s Aston Villa can sit back, relax and know that their job is don e.
Well, almost done.
Aston Villa have already secured seven signings, including Amarou Onana, Ian Maatsen and the returning Ross Barkley.
There is still time for number eight, however.
And HITC understands that Aston Villa have agreed a deal in principle with Feyenoord that will see 14-time Dutch international Lutsharel Geertruida move to the Midlands before Saturday’s visit to Leicester.
Villa are due to pay £35 million, including add-ons. A superb fee for his current employers, given that Geertuida’s contract expires in 2025.Personal terms have also been agreed with Geertruida himself, the uber-versatile defender who captained Arne Slot’s Feyenoord side during much of last season and helped claim the Eredivisie title in 2023.
Aston Villa agree terms with Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida
Feyenoord – like all Dutch clubs – are used to seeing star players leave on an annual basis.
And, determined to leave nothing to chance, Rotterdam-based publication 1908 reports that Feyenoord have already put out the feelers for Geertruida’s replacement. They want Asger Sorensen, and a positive relationship between them and Sparta Prague should help smooth through any negotiations.
