Pierre Ekwah drops hint on Sunderland future | OneFootball

Pierre Ekwah is currently on loan with French side Saint-Étienne

Pierre Ekwah has dropped a hint over his immediate Sunderland future.

The midfielder is currently on loan with French side Saint-Étienne, having joined for the campaign during the summer window.

Ekwah was an important part of the Black Cats’ first-team squad last season but fell down the pecking order with the appointment of Régis Le Bris as head coach.

The 22-year-old has so far made 10 appearances in Ligue 1 with his new club, with the team sitting 15th in the table.

Pierre Ekwah offers hint on Sunderland future

Ekwah has hinted that he sees a future where he remains with Saint-Étienne beyond his loan spell, indicating how much he’s enjoying his time with the top-flight club.

He has claimed he has mixed feelings about the experience due to being tied to two different teams, and that no immediate solution has been found for his next in his career.

“It’s weird. I have a sense of belonging to Saint-Étienne,” said Ekwah, via Le Progres.

“In my head, I’m not on loan.

“But when I’m asked the question, I have to answer that I’m on loan.

“I’m between two clubs.

“The players and the staff never made me feel like I was on loan.

“When I arrived, I said to myself: ‘I’m here for a long time.’ You never know, will I go back? Will I stay? I can’t give an answer.

“In my mind, yes [there are questions about my future].

“We’ll see. Here, we’re talking about belonging. I belong to two clubs.”

Pierre Ekwah’s Sunderland career

Ekwah made the switch to Sunderland in the January transfer window in 2023, arriving from West Ham.

The midfielder made just 14 league appearances during the 2022/23 campaign before cementing himself as a regular presence in the side in the following term.

The Frenchman started 37 of his 40 games in the side in a tumultuous year for the team, which saw them finish 16th in the table.

Ekwah has a contract with Sunderland until the summer of 2027.

Ekwah sale would make sense for Sunderland

Sunderland are well stocked in midfield without Ekwah, who clearly wasn’t part of Le Bris’ first team plans.

If Saint-Étienne are happy with his progress, then a potential summer sale could be a move that suits all parties.

The 22-year-old is obviously quite talented and has made himself a key part of his new team.

Sunderland could net a solid transfer fee for him in the summer if he can continue to perform well in the French top flight.