‘Sunderland make correct Pierre Ekwah transfer call’ amid Vanat transfer latest
Sunderland have already sold two players ahead of the Premier League season, and one more is set to follow suit.
Jobe Bellingham parted for German giants Borussia Dortmund for a record fee, while Tommy Watson signed for Brighton.
Now, Pierre Ekwah is set to leave the Stadium of Light, having spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 outfit AS Saint-Etienne.
And it looks as though these funds could soon be reinvested by the Black Cats.
Ekwah to leave Sunderland on permanent deal
Regis Le Bris has been handed a favourable start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, with a home match against West Ham.
The Hammers endured a torrid 2024/25 season, with Graham Potter unable to steady their form after Julen Lopetegui’s departure.
One Sunderland player who spent time with West Ham previously is Ekwah, who joined the Wearsiders for an undisclosed fee in 2023.
After a shaky start, the midfielder enjoyed a run in the first team in the Championship before being loaned out last summer.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 61 | 5 | 2 |
Now, as reported by Scott Wilson of the Northern Echo (19 June), the 23-year-old is set to depart the Stadium of Light, joining Saint Etienne permanently.
Ekwah made 29 league appearances for Saint Etienne last season as they were relegated from Ligue 1.
Sunderland can reinvest funds from Ekwah sale
Sunderland have been linked with a move for Vanat as they look to add firepower to their forward line.
The Black Cats look set to face a tussle to sign the Ukrainian, who has several suitors in the Premier League.
Vanat bagged 21 goals in all competitions last season, scoring 17 of those in the Ukrainian Premier Liga.
Le Bris already has Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor as options in attack, but is understood to want to add more quality.
Therefore, selling a fringe player like Ekwah is the right decision, as the funds raised can be reinvested.
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