There’s yet another Premier League transfer rumour surrounding one Sunderland player.
Sunderland are certainly no strangers to having Premier League interest in their first-team players.
There’s a handful of Black Cats stars who look set to make the step up either this summer or in the coming transfer windows.
Jack Clarke has interest from the Premier League, whilst Crystal Palace have been linked with Jobe Bellingham who also has interest from the likes of Lazio.
Elsewhere, Anthony Patterson, Dan Ballard, Trai Hume, Dan Neil and Chris Rigg have been mentioned alongside either Premier League or European clubs this summer.
Now though, a more unlikely name in Pierre Ekwah is attracting transfer interest from the English top flight.
Ekwah has been linked to the Premier League in the past. But after a mixed 2023/24 season in the Championship, it looked as though those rumours wouldn’t reignite.
Now though, Steve Cooper’s Leicester City are reportedly keen Ekwah, who is under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2027.
Sunderland fans react as Leicester City target Pierre Ekwah
Ekwah was a very divisive player last season. Joining in January 2023, Ekwah gradually impressed the Sunderland fans in his first half season at the club.
But he couldn’t live up to the hype last time round, despite the 22-year-old featuring 40 times in the Championship and scoring five goals from midfield.
Reacting to the latest Leicester City rumours, one Sunderland fan said on X: “After so much promise he was abysmal last season.
“Looking at recent signings and Rigg coming through its hard to see where he’ll fit in. If the price is right, sell him.”
Another added: “A decent fee and it’s good business, think he’ll be fourth choice in midfield going into the season, especially after barely featuring in the friendlies.”
Whilst there’s the odd fan suggesting Sunderland should hold on to Ekwah for another season or so, more appear to be in favour of a sale, if the money is right.
This fan said: “If it’s for big money I’m all for it, we need money to sign better players. Someone else will take his place and hopefully do the same or better for us. They’re all going to go eventually.”
Another said: “A lot of people slate him but then expect around £10m for him. If we could get £7m I’d snap their hands off he’s a liability.”
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Should Sunderland cash in on Pierre Ekwah this summer
It’s certainly a tricky one for Kristjaan Speakman to mull over, with Ekwah now one of a number of Sunderland players wanted in the Premier League.
And with so many being linked away, it could be the case that Sunderland wait until later in the summer transfer window to offload, so that they don’t leave themselves short by selling one or two now, and not being able to replace them.
Ekwah has definitely showed potential in a Sunderland shirt. But he disappointed last season, not progressing to the levels that fans thought he would.
He’s still young, though, and last season was his first full season playing senior football, so there’s definitely reason to believe that he’ll progress.
But with Bellingham, Rigg, Neil, and now Alan Browne all fighting for the starting spots in midfield, it could be tough for Ekwah to break into the XI and get back on an upwards trajectory.
If the money is right then Sunderland may be best off selling, and taking the profit.