OM transfer news: Geertruida deal is over — Marseille out, Sunderland steps in.

Marseille’s transfer window is never a smooth ride. Although a deal seemed close in recent days, the news dropped this Sunday via Sky Sport Germany: the deal between Lutsharel Geertruida and Olympique de Marseille is well and truly dead. According to Philipp Hinze, barring an utterly improbable U-turn in the very last hours of the window, the 25-year-old Dutch international will never set foot on the Vélodrome pitch.

A real blow for OM supporters, given how perfectly Geertruida’s profile seemed tailored to Roberto De Zerbi’s project: power, versatility (centre-back, full-back, even defensive midfield), European experience and a warrior’s mentality.

Sunderland swoop in, OM rebuffed

In this case, the transfer window once again showed its ruthless logic. Sunderland have taken the upper hand. According to Santi Aouna, the Black Cats are now in pole position, with talks with Leipzig well advanced. De Zerbi and Longoria thus find themselves outpaced by an English club quicker to get the deal done.

🔴 Exclusive: Deal between Lutsharel Geertruida and Olympique Marseille is off! The Dutchman will not be moving to OM - barring any last-minute twists. @SkySportDE pic.twitter.com/0gIKl780sI

— Philipp Hinze (@philipphinze24) September 1, 2025

A setback… but not a halt

For OM, it’s a disappointment but certainly not a halt. Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia know the defence still needs shoring up despite the imminent arrival of Nayef Aguerd and the already completed signing of Emerson Palmieri. The Joel Ordóñez pursuit has been locked up by Bruges, but other avenues remain open to give the Italian coach the reinforcements he needs.

The window goes on, the quest remains the same

Marseille will therefore not be counting on Lutsharel Geertruida. No white-and-blue shirt for the Dutchman, no roars from the Vélodrome to welcome him. But in this window where everything can flip in a matter of hours, the only clear certainty is this: Longoria and Benatia won’t stop there. Supporters now wait to see who will fill that void, and above all whether OM can land one last big coup before the window shuts.