Sunderland may already have one big money player departure on the cards for this summer, with the future of midfielder Pierre Ekwah now looking more uncertain than ever.
The January transfer window came and went and the Sunderland squad remains in one piece. But there was definitely interest in more than one player, with Tommy Watson coming closest to leaving.
Brighton tried to sign Watson on deadline day but failed with a £13million package for the teenager, who’s out of contract at the Stadium of Light in 2026.
And it’s already been reported that Brighton will make a summer move for Watson, having tried to sign the Sunderland academy man last summer as well, so that could be a story that dominates Sunderland headlines in the next summer transfer window.
But there’ll likely be other departures. Especially if Sunderland don’t earn promotion this season, the owners could be forced to cash in on a number of their valuable assets in what would be a big summer of change on Wearside.
Pierre Ekwah not in Sunderland’s future plans
One player who could leave Sunderland in the summer, and net the club a decent transfer fee in the process is Pierre Ekwah. The former West Ham man is spending the 2024/25 season on loan at St Etienne where he’s found his footing after a tough 2023/24 in the Championship.
Ekwah’s St Etienne have been in poor form of late, currently sitting in the relegation places of the Ligue 1 table. But Ekwah has previously said that there’s a possibility he joins St Etienne on a permanent deal in the summer, with his Sunderland future very uncertain.
Speaking to Sunderland AFC News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now revealed that Ekwah is not currently in Sunderland’s long-term plans. Bailey said: “It’s up to the player and the club. If the player wants to go then there’s not much Sunderland can do about it.
“I don’t really think they see him as part of the future, from what I’m told.”
Why Pierre Ekwah wanted to join St Etienne after tough Sunderland season
Ekwah set himself a high bar in his first half-season at the club. But he didn’t live up to expectations last time round, leading to his loan departure.
After sealing his loan exit, Ekwah explained why he wanted to join St Etienne, and it could be a huge indication that he’s ready to stay at the club on a permanent basis beyond this season.
The 23-year-old Frenchman explained: “Why Saint-Etienne? Because it’s Saint-Etienne! A legendary club. I had good discussions with the coach and the sporting director before signing. It reinforced my idea of coming to Les Verts.
“I wanted to discover Ligue 1 and France at a professional level because I only stayed one season at Nantes. I left for England quite young.”
Now with Ekwah seemingly out of the picture at Sunderland, the ball may be in Etienne’s court where a permanent move for Ekwah is regarded. The French outfit have a £6million option to buy Ekwah but relegation Ligue 2 could be the decisive factor in whether or not they trigger that option.