In a whirlwind of drama at Anfield, Liverpool’s pursuit of Sunderland loanee Lutsharel Geertruida has sensationally fallen apart at the eleventh hour, leaving fans reeling from the unexpected collapse. But Arne Slot’s Reds aren’t done yet – with the winter transfer window set to slam shut on Monday, the club is reportedly pushing hard for not one, but two blockbuster alternatives: a daring hijack of Chelsea’s target, Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, and exploratory talks for AZ Alkmaar’s rising star midfielder Kees Smit.
The Geertruida saga had all the makings of a classic deadline-day thriller. The versatile Dutch right-back, currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, emerged as a prime target for Liverpool following an injury to their own Jeremie Frimpong. Initial reports painted a picture of smooth progress: German journalist Florian Plettenberg revealed that Liverpool had secured a full agreement with the player himself, and Leipzig were poised to give the green light. The only remaining obstacle was Sunderland, who held the keys to the deal due to their loan arrangement
Sunderland, having paid an initial €2m loan fee last summer with an option to buy for €23m (totaling a potential €25m package), were in a strong position. They demanded a compensation fee of £3m-£4m to release Geertruida mid-season – a sum well within Liverpool’s budget. Yet, in a stunning twist confirmed by Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri and corroborated by heavyweights like Ben Jacobs, Fabrizio Romano, and David Ornstein, the move imploded.
Exclusive insights from TEAMtalk’s transfer insider Graeme Bailey shed light on the breakdown. Sunderland’s firm intention to exercise their buy option at the end of the loan played a pivotal role in swaying Geertruida to stay put. Liverpool, cautious in their approach, were only prepared to structure the deal as a loan with an option to buy – a setup that introduced too much uncertainty for the defender’s liking. With Geertruida prioritizing stability and Sunderland offering a clear path to permanence, the deal evaporated, leaving Liverpool to pivot swiftly.
Undeterred, the Reds have turned their attention to bolstering their defensive ranks with a bold raid on Ligue 1. Enter Jeremy Jacquet, the highly rated Rennes centre-back who’s been turning heads with his composure and maturity beyond his years. Chelsea had been leading the chase, with reports over the weekend indicating they were ramping up negotiations and contemplating meeting Rennes’ steep valuation of at least €60m (potentially rising to €65m).
But Liverpool aren’t ones to back down from a fight. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Anfield outfit is now “in talks” with Rennes, aiming to torpedo Chelsea’s pursuit in a dramatic hijack. The France U21 international represents a long-term investment for Slot’s project, especially with Bayern Munich’s interest now deemed “unlikely.” As negotiations intensify, both Premier League giants are locked in a fierce battle, with Rennes holding firm on their price tag. Could Liverpool snatch Jacquet from under Chelsea’s nose? The coming hours will tell.
Adding another layer of intrigue to this deadline-day frenzy is Liverpool’s interest in midfield dynamo Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar. The 20-year-old Dutch sensation has been on the radar of several top clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, as revealed by Graeme Bailey back on December 30. AZ’s asking price is no small change – expect demands north of €60m, with some sources in the Netherlands whispering figures as high as €75m.
While the consensus was that Smit’s big move would wait until summer, with AZ reluctant to part ways mid-season, fresh reports from Liverpool-focused outlet DAVEOKOP suggest a potential twist. Initial talks have been held with Smit’s representatives, hinting at a last-ditch effort to secure the midfielder before the window closes. Smit’s blend of technical prowess, vision, and energy could inject fresh dynamism into Liverpool’s engine room, but prising him away now will require a hefty financial commitment and some persuasive negotiating.
As the clock ticks down, Arne Slot’s Liverpool – who hadn’t planned for a frantic winter window – find themselves at the epicenter of transfer chaos. The Geertruida collapse is a bitter pill, but the pursuits of Jacquet and Smit could turn disappointment into delight. Will the Reds pull off these spectacular deals? Stay tuned as Anfield braces for more blockbuster developments
