‘Sunderland set to bank significant windfall as Pierre Ekwah closes in on exit’
Sunderland are set to receive a handsome seven-figure sum, with midfielder Pierre Ekwah heading for the Stadium of Light exit door.
The 23-year-old spent last season on loan with French side Saint-Etienne, making 30 appearances, but he could not help them avoid relegation to Ligue 2.
Ekwah previously played a key role for Sunderland during the 2023/24 campaign, notching five goals and two assists in 40 Championship appearances.
Having made a total of 61 appearances for the Black Cats since joining from West Ham in January 2023, his Mackems career is now set to come to an end.
Ekwah set to join Saint-Etienne permanently
After guiding Sunderland from the Championship to the Premier League, Regis Le Bris has already lost the services of both Tommy Watson and Jobe Bellingham.
But the Black Cats are now set to part company with Ekwah, too, as Saint-Etienne have confirmed their intention to take up their option to sign the 23-year-old, as per the Sunderland Echo [19 June].
The report adds that the Stadium of Light club will receive around £6million for Ekwah despite the French side’s relegation to Ligue 2.
West Ham United will also receive a payment as part of the deal that saw him move to Wearside.
Sunderland must invest in their midfield
Football Insider verdict
Even though Ekwah did not participate in Sunderland’s promotion-winning campaign last term, his exit, coupled with that of Bellingham, has left Le Bris’ side light on numbers in the midfield area.
| Jobe Bellingham stats | Championship 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 40 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 3 |
The Stadium of Light faithful will have been excited to see what Bellingham could do in the Premier League, after the talented teenager notched four goals and three assists in 40 Championship appearances.
However, by selling the England youth international to German giants Borussia Dortmund, Sunderland made an initial fee of £27m, as reported by BBC Sport.
Having also sold Watson to Brighton for £10m [BBC Sport], the Mackems are now set for even more vital funds by selling Ekwah to Saint-Etienne.
But Le Bris must spend that money wisely in the transfer window, while central midfield has now become a particular area of concern as neither Bellingham nor Ekwah will be at the Stadium of Light next season.
Meanwhile, Cuba Mitchell has opened up on his Sunderland exit in a Mackem News exclusive.