Everton now have clear path to Lutsharel Geertruida signing after Sunderland latest
Everton should be accelerating a move for Lutsharel Geertruida after confirmation that he will not be joining Sunderland permanently this summer.
David Moyes has made it clear that he wants to bolster his defensive ranks this summer as Everton aim to stage a push for Europe in the coming season.
Right-back is viewed as a particularly important area to reinforce, after Seamus Coleman left the club at the end of his contract.
Nathan Patterson has also been linked away from the club this summer, after Jake O'Brien acted as a stand in right-back for the majority of last season.
Everton have been linked with a move for Geertruida, who impressed on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig as they clinched Europa League qualification.
His future on Wearside has been up in the air for several weeks, but now it is clear that he won't be joining Sunderland, Everton should be planning an imminent approach.
Everton can seal important addition after Lutsharel Geertruida's social media reveal
Geertruida was a coup for Sunderland following their promotion to the Premier League, considering his extensive Champions League experience at Leipzig and Feyenoord.
He had also been a regular for the Netherlands in the three years prior to moving to the Premier League, and won a call-up to their World Cup squad after a strong season at the Stadium of Light.
Geertruida made 30 appearances for Sunderland across 2025-26, with his versatility proving to be useful to Regis Le Bris as he featured across the backline and in defensive midfield.
He ended the season with commendable dribbling, duels won and fouls committed statistics for a Premier League full-back.
Sources exclusively revealed to Football Insider in May that Everton were admirers of Geertruida, and his latest post announcing that he will not be returning to Sunderland shows that they can now accelerate a move.
What is the latest on Everton's right-back situation?
Everton are not believed to be close to signing a new right-back as it stands, with iNews stating this week that they are ready to "play the waiting game" in search of a new addition in the position this summer.
Sources have revealed to Football Insider that a possible Toffees move for Djed Spence hinges on Spurs' pursuit of Neco Williams, so that saga could drag on until the last knockings of the window.
New reports have claimed that Eintracht Frankfurt are lining up a move for Patterson this summer, with Merlin Rohl tested at right-back in Everton's latest friendly.
It is clear that they need a new addition as soon as possible, with a move for Geertruida now looking pretty obvious after his Sunderland exit message.