The official announcement regarding Pierre Ekwah’s (23) permanent transfer from Sunderland AFC to AS Saint-Étienne has yet to be released, with administrative details holding up the deal, per information from the Sunderland Echo.

However, according to The teamthe midfielder could already be on the move again. The French outlet writes, it had come as a surprise to both Sunderland and the player that Saint-Étienne decided to trigger the €6m option to purchase the player following last season’s loan. Greens waited until three minutes before the June 15th deadline to keep the player.

Ekwah per his agreement last summer will sign a contract lasting until 2028. However, there is a chance that he will not see out those three years. Saint-Étienne head coach Eirik Horneland is preparing his plans around the player. However, the club would be open to a departure.

Real Betis and VfB Stuttgart are both reportedly keeping tabs on the midfielder, but neither has yet made contact with the Ligue 2 side.

Tezz | Nick Hartland