Former Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah is currently entangled in a puzzling situation in France, where tensions have reportedly arisen between him and his new club, Saint-Étienne. According to French outlet Peuple-Vert, the 23-year-old’s position has become increasingly complicated after the Ligue 1 side allegedly activated a £5.1 million purchase clause—without properly informing Ekwah or his representatives. This unexpected move has reportedly left the player frustrated and discontented with how the transfer was handled.
Ekwah had spent the previous season on loan at Saint-Étienne, having struggled for consistent game time under Régis Le Bris at Sunderland. His performances during the loan stint impressed the French club enough to pursue a permanent deal during the pre-season. However, the latest developments suggest that Ekwah was unaware of Saint-Étienne’s intention to make the move permanent, and since the clause was activated, he has reportedly not rejoined first-team training.
Talks between the player and the club have seemingly broken down, and reports claim Saint-Étienne are refusing to release him on a free transfer. In a further twist, the club is allegedly threatening to demote Ekwah to the reserves if he continues to resist the situation.
Despite his current contract running until 2028, Ekwah is said to be eager to leave, with clubs like Ipswich Town, Real Betis, Braga, and Espanyol keeping a close eye on the unfolding drama. However, no formal offers have been submitted so far, leaving the midfielder’s future in limbo.
The confusion surrounding the deal also sheds light on why neither Sunderland nor Saint-Étienne have officially confirmed the transfer, even though the buyout clause was triggered earlier in the summer. For Sunderland, however, the matter appears settled—they no longer consider themselves involved in Ekwah’s career going forward.
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