Just as midfielder Pierre Ekwah’s permanent switch to AS Saint-Étienne from Sunderland AFC is being finalized, a surprising twist emerges: European clubs are already eyeing the young talent, and Saint-Étienne appears open to a swift departure.
Ekwah spent last season on loan at Saint-Étienne. The French club held a €6 million purchase option. In a move that reportedly surprised both Ekwah and Sunderland, Saint-Étienne waited until just three minutes before the June 15th deadline to activate this clause. This display of decisive, last-minute timing secures Ekwah’s commitment, with an agreement in place for him to sign a contract running until 2028. Saint-Étienne, newly promoted to Ligue 1, seemed to have secured a key player for their return to the top flight.
However, Ekwah’s tenure at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard could be remarkably short. Despite coach Eirik Horneland reportedly including the midfielder in his future plans, Saint-Étienne is rumored to be receptive to offers for the 23-year-old. Interest is heating up from abroad, with Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart and La Liga outfit Real Betis both monitoring the situation. As of now, neither club has initiated formal contact with Saint-Étienne.
The situation remains fluid. While Ekwah is poised to sign a long-term deal with Saint-Étienne, the possibility of an immediate sale to a top-tier club in Germany or Spain adds an unexpected layer to this summer’s transfer window saga. His future, barely settled, is suddenly uncertain once more.
