Saint-Étienne reach agreement with Sunderland over Pierre Ekwah loan | OneFootball

According to Foot Mercato, Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah (22) is set to join AS Saint-Étienne on loan before the closure of the transfer window.

At the start of the season, manager Régis Le Bris admitted that Ekwah could leave Sunderland this summer, amid interest. Udinese had been most forthright in their interest, submitting a €5m bid that was rejected by the EFL Championship side. However, Saint-Étienne then joined the race.

Les Verts, who have lost both of their opening Ligue 1 fixtures, are in the market for a holding midfielder and have considered moves for out-of-favour RC Lens player Salis Abdul Hamed, and Salzbourg’s Mamady Diambou. Ultimately, however, ASSE decided to focus on concluding a deal for Sunderland’s Ekwah.

The Frenchman will join Olivier Dall’Oglio’s side on a loan deal that will include the option to make the deal permanent for €7m, according to Foot Mercato. The midfielder’s move to Saint-Étienne is now imminent.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle