Pierre Ekwah has featured regularly for Sunderland since arriving at the Stadium of Light in January 2023.
The defensive midfielder has made 60 appearances, of which 42 were from last season, and his performances for the Black Cats have brought him to the attention of Udinese.
Earlier this week, Sports World Ghana reported the Serie A side have made an official bid to Sunderland for the 22-year-old. It was also said the negotiations have been ongoing between the two clubs
Walace left Udinese for Cruzeiro and the former are searching for a player who can replace the Brazilian. That’s according to Messaggero Veneto, who say the Italian club have identified Ekwah as the ‘solution’.
Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo has sent an offer to both the Championship side and the player. The details aren’t disclosed, but what they’ve proposed hasn’t convinced the Championship side.
It’s claimed the fee requested by Sunderland is ‘too high’ for the Serie A side, which is why the deal won’t be ‘closed quickly’. It would have been easier for Udinese if the Black Cats were to lower the asking price for Ekwah.