"£5 million price tag" - Sunderland player tipped for summer exit | OneFootball

Fan pundit calls for Ekwah exit regardless of outcome of promotion push for Sunderland

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Pierre Ekwah's Sunderland future has been thrown into fresh doubt after reports over the weekend.

Journalist Graeme Bailey told Sunderland News that the Black Cats midfielder is not in Regis Le Bris' plans at the Stadium of Light.

Ekwah has made 61 appearances in red and white, scoring five goals, before falling out of favour after Le Bris took the reins in the summer.

The French youth international has spent the 2024/25 season on loan at St. Etienne, making 19 appearances for the struggling Ligue 1 outfit.

Football League World spoke to Sunderland fan pundit Jordan Newcombe regarding Ekwah’s future in the North East.

Pierre Ekwah tipped for summer exit

“Regarding Ekwah, it’s a bit of a tough one,” explains Newcombe. “Obviously he’s still out on loan and the team’s not doing very well - I’m pretty sure I’ve not seen him in a few games, not on the bench or anything.”

In light of Sunderland’s promotion ambitions, he elaborates: “I don’t think he will be here [at Sunderland] next season, I don’t feel like we should bring him back next season. I don’t think he’s up to the standard of the Premier League, if we do go up.”

“Maybe if we stay in the Championship, I’d bring him back but obviously as a bench player - maybe bring him on in the last half hour and see what he can do from there. He wouldn’t start over the midfielders we’ve got.

“What I am gonna say on Ekwah is - it depends on Sunderland. If we go up, then I don’t see him here at all. If we don’t go up, I think he’s a decent midfielder for a backup. But then again - we could probably get a bit better. In that perspective - no, we need to get rid of him.”

“Price wise - I’m not too sure. I know we brought him in cheap. I’m going to go around the £5 million mark.

“Hopefully he can get back on his feet at a different club - preferably not at the club that he is loaned out to, because they’re not doing well.

“Last time I checked they’re doing really bad. Ekwah wasn’t even in the squad, and they got hammered.

“I’d slap a £5 million price tag on him when he gets back and see where we go from there,” concludes Newcombe. “I’d put it towards a new midfielder that’s lived up to the Prem, in Premier League style, as a backup to Jobe if he goes or is injured. Other than that, it’s a bit of a tough one on Ekwah - we haven’t really seen him.”

A changing midfield at Sunderland

Newcombe’s assessment comes at a time of change in the centre of the park for Sunderland. With speculation surrounding Jobe Bellingham’s future and Ekwah’s uncertain role, the Black Cats could see significant turnover in midfield this summer.

Rumours continue to circulate about Bellingham’s potential departure, with Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring his progress.

Should Bellingham leave, the Black Cats would need to bolster their midfield options, further diminishing Ekwah’s chances of a return.

Meanwhile, Ekwah’s loan stint at St. Etienne hasn’t showcased the form Sunderland would have hoped for. Struggling for game time at a club fighting relegation, his performances have done little to bolster his chances of a recall.

With Sunderland’s promotion hopes still alive, the club will face a crucial decision regarding his future. Whether they decide to cash in or offer him a squad role could hinge on their league status next season.