Sunderland’s Pierre Ekwah has impressed for AS Saint-Étienne since joining them on loan on summer deadline day.
Since making his debut, the midfielder has been an undisputed starter, missing only two games for the Ligue 1 club.
Peuple Vert looks at the Sunderland man’s performances and his future at Saint-Étienne beyond this season.
The Frenchman is the 8th player in Ligue 1 to cover most kilometres per game [10.56 km per game].
Last month, Ekwah said he wasn’t thinking about his future and focused on helping Saint-Étienne stay in the top division. They are 17th in the table [18 teams in the league] and are a point behind 16th placed Le Havre and three behind 15th placed Stade de Reims.
The report states the French club have a purchase option and the decision to exercise it could be a ‘strategic choice’. The Sunderland owned player’s immediate future will depend on them avoiding relegation and their plans for the summer.
Saint-Étienne’s leaders, however, are closely following Ekwah’s development and progress at the club. They have to make the final decision on whether to retain him, irrespective of where they finish this season.
The outlet states: ‘His rise to prominence and profile tailored to the club’s project suggest a favourable outcome.’
His intensity, rapid transitions and ability to put pressure on the opposition suit the French club. There are ‘solid arguments’ for them to take the ‘next decisive step’ to retain the Black Cats midfielder, but what will happen in the summer remains to be seen.
