Pierre Ekwah is reportedly unhappy over his permament move to Saint Etienne
French midfielder Pierre Ekwah in action for Saint Etienne
French midfielder Pierre Ekwah in action for Saint Etienne
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Ex-Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah is said to be involved in a bizarre situation in France and is reportedly at odds with his new club Saint-Étienne.
Earlier in the transfer window, it emerged that the Lique 1 club had triggered a permanent transfer clause in his loan deal from the Black Cats.
But according to Peuple-Vert, the 23-year-old’s situation has become “delicate” after the French club allegedly exercised a £5.1m option to buy him from Sunderland – without full communication with the player or his representatives according to reports.
It is claimed Ekwah is unhappy with the situation.
The midfielder spent last season on loan at Saint-Étienne following limited minutes under Régis Le Bris on Wearside.
He impressed enough to warrant a permanent move during pre-season. However, the latest claims suggest the France youth international was not told that the Ligue 1 club would be signing him outright.
According to Peuple-Vert, Ekwah has not returned to first-team training since the clause was activated. Talks between the two parties have allegedly broken down entirely, with the club now refusing to sanction a free transfer exit and instead threatening to relegate the midfielder to the reserves if the stand-off continues.
Ekwah, whose new deal runs until 2028, is understood to be keen to leave – with Ipswich Town, Real Betis, Braga and Espanyol all said to be monitoring the situation. However, no concrete offers have yet been lodged as the dispute continues to stall any movement.
The confusion may also go some way to explaining why neither Sunderland nor Saint-Étienne have officially announced the deal, despite the transfer clause being triggered earlier in the window.
As far as Sunderland are concerned, they are no longer directly involved in the player’s future.
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