Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah is the subject of transfer interest from Udinese this summer with the Serie A side understood to have sent a ‘formal proposal’ for the 22-year-old midfielder, according to renowned Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Ekwah joined Sunderland from West Ham United’s academy in January 2023 for an undisclosed fee on a deal until the summer of 2027. The midfielder, who featured for RC Arpajonnais, Bretigny FCS and CFF Paris at youth level joined Nantes in 2017 before later completing a move to Chelsea where he spent three years until he left Stamford Bridge in favour of a move to West Ham.
Since arriving on Wearside, Ekwah has made 60 appearances having established himself as a first team regular last season. The midfielder made his debut as a substitute in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Fulham in 2023 before featuring regularly in the closing weeks of the season – including a standout display in Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Luton Town in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.
Despite his lack of senior experience prior to his arrival in the North East, Ekwah represents the profile of player Sunderland are keen to recruit and develop, with the potential of a high sell-on fee.
However, any potential fee Sunderland do receive, were they to sanction a sale of Ekwah, would be reduced owing to the clauses agreed with West Ham in the original deal to bring him to the Stadium of Light. According to West Ham sources, Sunderland’s minimal fee to sign Ekwah included a high percentage sell-on clause around the 35 per cent mark.
