"A massive stumbling block" - Pundit claims West Ham action could stop Sunderland, Udinese transfer deal | OneFootball

Top youngsters that are currently with the Black Cats are being coveted by teams across Europe, including Pierre Ekwah

Sunderland are facing transfer pressure as Udinese are reported to have held talks with the Black Cats over a deal for Pierre Ekwah.

Sports World Ghana have claimed that the Italian outfit have spoken with both the Frenchman and Sunderland over a potential deal for the midfielder.

He is said to be a top target for Udinese this summer, but there have not been mentions of any official offer being placed just yet.

While Sunderland have a lot of players that other teams want, they aren't under any pressure to offload their talents as of right now

Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman recently said, via the Northern Echo, that the Black Cats aren't in any danger of failing any financial regulatory thresholds this summer, and aren't in the position of other teams who do need to sell to make sure they don't breach any rules.

Even if they do decide to sell to Udinese, it will have to be for a substantial fee as West Ham United, who they bought the midfielder from around a year-and-a-half ago, have a 35% sell-on clause.

Carlton Palmer's take on Pierre Ekwah, Udiniese interest

Pundit Carlton Palmer doesn't see how the Black Cats will sell Ekwah unless it's for good money.

Speaking to Football League World, the former England international said that he sympathises with the club's new head coach, Regis Le Bris, because of the amount of interest that a lot of his top talents are receiving as he tries to put together his squad for the upcoming campaign.

Palmer told FLW.

"The latest player to be linked with a move away is midfielder Pierre Ekwah.

"It's very difficult for a manager that has just come in, and you want to build a side that's going to challenge in the league, when your best players are being coveted by other clubs, but this one is a bit complicated.

"Pierre made 43 appearances for Sunderland last season, scoring five goals and registering two assists.

"The 22-year-old joined the Black Cats in January 2023 from West Ham. But it would have to be a big fee (if Sunderland sell Ekwah) because West Ham have a 35% sell-on.

"So, it'd have to be a huge fee for them to even consider selling. It'd be a massive blow for Sunderland to lose Pierre, but they have already brought in a replacement in Alan Browne.

"He was offered a new contract by Preston North End but turned that down to go to the Black Cats. It's a shift in their policy, with Browne being 29, experienced, and they've signed him on a three-year deal.

"It's only an inquiry at the moment (for Ekwah). Udinese have not made an offer, they've just asked for permission to speak to Pierre, and we'll have to see how that works out.

"The 35% sell-on to West Ham is going to be a massive stumbling block for clubs because Sunderland are going to factor that into any deal that would see the player move away from the Stadium of Light."

Sunderland can use their leverage to get better deals for their players

As mentioned, the club aren't in a position where they need to offload players in order to allow Le Bris to build a team in his image. They have the resources and the leeway, in terms of the fiscal rules, to be able to give him the tools that he needs without doing so.

Given the amount of interest they are receiving for the likes of Ekwah, Trai Hume and others, they need to use their own financial position to try and get themselves the best deal possible.

Ultimately, with the model that Sunderland operate under, they have to be a selling club. They get young players when they are cheaper, turn them into potential stars and make millions of profit from doing so.

If the right offer comes in, they will let players go, as was shown last summer when Ross Stewart joined Southampton. They can tell these clubs who are admirers of their players.

And that will be the same with Ekwah - only West Ham's significant sell-on clause will mean that Ekwah's valuation will likely be increased.