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RB Leipzig Ready to Move on From Geertruida and Vermeeren as No. 6 Search Begins
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- RB Leipzig Ready to Move on From Geertruida and Vermeeren as No. 6 Search Begins
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
RB Leipzig have made a significant decision regarding two players who arrived with high expectations but now appear to have no place in the club's plans.
According to Sky Sport Germany , Leipzig have decided that Lutsharel Geertruida and Arthur Vermeeren can leave the club after most of pre-season. Both players have reportedly been advised to look for new clubs, with the Red Bulls preferring permanent transfers over another loan spell.
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The decision is particularly notable in Geertruida's case.
The Dutch international only joined Leipzig from Feyenoord in 2024, but his first spell in Germany did not develop as hoped. After struggling to establish himself as a regular, he spent last season on loan at Sunderland, where he gained Premier League experience. He has now returned to Leipzig, but it appears that new head coach Martín Demichelis does not see him as part of his plans going forward.
PSV Eindhoven have already shown interest in bringing Geertruida back to the Netherlands, although Leipzig's asking price has been a significant obstacle. Reports suggest the German club are looking for around €20 million for the 26-year-old. Clubs from the Premier League and La Liga have also registered interest, while Saudi Arabian clubs are monitoring the situation.
Leipzig's preference is clear: they want to turn Geertruida into a permanent sale.
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A loan has not been completely ruled out, particularly if the timing of the window makes a permanent agreement difficult, but RB Leipzig would rather remove the player from the squad permanently and generate a meaningful transfer fee.
That approach also makes sense from a squad-building perspective. Leipzig have been under pressure to generate significant transfer income this summer, with reports earlier in the window suggesting the club needed more than €100 million in player sales.
Vermeeren's situation is slightly different.
The Belgian midfielder joined Leipzig after making a name for himself at Royal Antwerp and was viewed as one of Europe's most promising young midfielders. However, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in Germany. Leipzig now appear ready to move on, and the fact that the club are simultaneously looking to sign another No. 6 suggests Demichelis wants a different profile in the position.
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That could be one of the more interesting consequences of these decisions.
Leipzig are not simply clearing space in the squad. They are reshaping the midfield around Demichelis' ideas. If both Geertruida and Vermeeren depart, the club will have greater room - both financially and within the squad - to bring in players specifically chosen for the new coach's system.
Another loan for Vermeeren remains possible, but Leipzig's preference is once again a permanent solution.
For Geertruida, meanwhile, the next few weeks could be decisive. With interest coming from several leagues and a €20 million price tag, Leipzig have a realistic opportunity to recoup a substantial portion of their investment.
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The message from Leipzig is therefore becoming increasingly clear: the Demichelis era is bringing a major squad reset.
Geertruida and Vermeeren were both signed as important investments in Leipzig's future. Now, just a few months later, the club is prepared to move on and use the departures to build a midfield and defence that better fit their new direction.
