Spurning interest from Amsterdam, the former Feyenoord star prioritized a move to Eindhoven, forcing a loan deal through despite RB Leipzig's initial demands for a permanent sale.
Lutsharel Geertruida could have joined Ajax before completing his move to PSV, but the defender made it clear where he wanted to continue his career.
The Netherlands international joined PSV from RB Leipzig on loan last month, a transfer that caused considerable frustration among Feyenoord supporters given Geertruida’s strong connection with the Rotterdam club.
Ajax had also made contact with the former Feyenoord defender, but PSV managing director Marcel Brands revealed that the player himself quickly settled the question.
Speaking in PSV Play’s Here in the South, Brands was asked by Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink whether Ajax’s interest had made him nervous.
“I’m not involved with Ajax. The only thing I ask Lutsharel is whether Ajax is an option for him. ‘No, I want to go to PSV,’” Brands said, as quoted by PSV Inside.
Technical director Earnest Stewart also explained how PSV eventually secured the deal after initially being uncertain whether Geertruida would be available on loan.
“At the start of the window it looked as though he might be allowed to be loaned out, but that quickly turned out not to be the case,” Stewart said.
PSV had already been in contact with Geertruida before the 2026 World Cup, when he was part of the Netherlands squad. The defender had spent the previous season on loan at Sunderland, but the English club decided against making the move permanent.
“Before the World Cup, we were already in talks with Lutsharel about PSV, and along the way we found out that he wanted to make that choice,” Stewart explained.
That left PSV to negotiate with RB Leipzig, who initially preferred a permanent sale.
“Then you enter into the process with RB Leipzig, who initially were very keen for him to still be sold. But in the end, fortunately, it worked out,” Stewart added.
Since making his PSV debut against Ajax in a 3-1 victory, Geertruida has quickly established himself in Peter Bosz’s side.
