Udinese have already seen a €5m bid for Pierre Ekwah (22) rejected by Sunderland. The Black Cats, who are fighting to retain the Frenchman, must now contend with interest from newly promoted Ligue 1 side AS Saint-Étienne, according to a report from Foot Mercato.
At the start of the season, manager Régis Le Bris admitted that Ekwah could leave Sunderland this summer, amid interest. Udinese have been most forthright in their interest, submitting a €5m bid that was rejected by the EFL Championship side. Saint-Étienne have now 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. Their attention is now firmly on Ekwah. However, Sunderland won’t let him leave the Stadium of Light on a cheap and are demanding between €6m-7m.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
