Sunderland could lose a couple of key players in next month’s transfer window.
Once again, Sunderland are facing a contested transfer window, with the club again in need of a striker, whilst also at risk of losing some key players.
Jack Clarke is the obvious name here; he’s had links to the Premier League since the summer and we’ll no doubt see those rumours reignited this month.
But there’s now fresh concerns over Pierre Ekwah who is reported to have a number of Premier League suitors.
The Frenchman only joined from West Ham this time last year. But over the past 12 months he’s shown his quality in midfield, with his recent performance against Hull City seeing the 21-year-old return to his best form after a slight dip.
Here are three Ekwah replacements that Sunderland must consider this month…
Sam Field
The former West Brom favourite, now at QPR, has become one of the Championship’s most effective and reliable defensive midfielders over the past season-and-a-half.
He scooped both the fans’ and club’s Player of the Year award last season and he’s once again showing his class, even despite QPR’s poor season so far.
As per Sofascore, Field averages 2.1 tackles per game, whilst also recovering an impressive 5.5 balls per game too.
With his contract out this summer as well, he could be a shrewd move for a lot of teams in the second tier.
Tim Iroegbunam
The Aston Villa youngster is struggling for game time tight now, having featured just once in the Premier League this season.
It comes after his impressive loan spell at QPR last season in which the 20-year-old made 32 Championship appearances, scoring twice; he was brought to the club by new Sunderland boss Michael Beale.
QPR are thought to be keen on a return for the central midfielder who boasts similar physical traits to Ekwah in that he’s pacy and powerful too, wand Iroegbunam can also be deployed as either a defensive-minded or attacking-minded central midfielder.
Ethan Erhahon
22-year-old Erhahon has impressed since sealing a move from St Mirren to Lincoln City in the January transfer window of last year.
He’s become a regular feature for the Imps and has asserted himself as a comfortable and powerful midfielder who rarely loses possession.
As per Sofascore, the Scot averages 1.5 interceptions per game (19th highest average in League One this season), 2.5 tackles per game (13th highest average in League One this season), and an incredible 7.1 recoveries, with an average of 53.9 touches per game too.
He’s an up and coming talent in the third tier and he looks ready to make the step up to the Championship in 2024.