Sunderland demand €6m for 22-year-old wanted by top tier outfit
Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah is wanted by Saint Etienne in Ligue 1 and the Black Cats are demanding around €6-7m for him, as per Foot Mercato.
Sunderland have managed to well and truly hit the ground running this season.
The Black Cats have put last season behind them and appear to be a team on a mission early doors in the 2024/25 campaign.
Regis Le Bris has had the dream start to life on Wearside with his side sitting top of the second tier having not conceded a goal in their first three outings.
Sunderland have made a couple of positive moves in the transfer window so far. Wilson Isidor, Ian Poveda and Alan Browne are the three expected to make a first team impact this season. Meanwhile, Jack Clarke has gone the other way and joined Ipswich Town.
It is expected to be a busy few days for Sunderland with players likely to come and go and one man with interest is Ekwah.
Ligue 1 side Saint Etienne reportedly like the look of the central midfielder.
It is yet to be confirmed as to whether they will make a concrete approach, but it is said that Sunderland are wanting between €6-7m for him this week.
A tricky decision
Sunderland have a plethora of talent in the midfield area, but they may still find Ekwah useful at some stage this season.
The 22-year-old is yet to play a league game for the Black Cats, sitting as an unused substitute in all three games so far this season.
However, last year he made 40 Championship appearances for the club, scoring five and assisting two.
He can definitely be a handy player to have around, but if the money for this deal would allow Sunderland the ability to add depth in other areas then it is probably a move they would consider.
Looking forward
Sunderland still need some forward additions and potentially depth at the back this week.
The transfer deadline shuts this Friday at 11pm and it is expected to be quite manic until then.
Le Bris will be fully focussed on keeping his side’s positive momentum going forward into this weekend’s fixture with a trip to Portsmouth on the cards.
This fixture became a bit of a grudge match whilst both sides were in League One and both sets of fans will definitely want to win this one purely so the others don’t.
John Mousinho’s men have had a good start to life in the Championship. Three draws from three against three top six candidates have proven Portsmouth good enough to compete and at Fratton Park this will be a very difficult afternoon for Sunderland.
