Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah could be set to join Saint Etienne after the two sides struck a deal for him.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who report that a deal is now in place for the midfielder to head back to France on loan.
They report that Saint Etienne have been actively targeting several midfield profiles over the last few days, but the current strong trend is towards Ekwah.
He is ‘close to joining’ the French side and according to FM’s information already has an agreement in place wit them on personal terms.
The clubs, for their part, have an agreement in principle on a loan deal that will include a purchase option worth around €7m.
The deal now seems to be progressing and ASSE will be getting the midfield reinforcement that they’ve been looking for.
With the two clubs already in agreement, at least in principle, and the player already agreeing to personal terms as well, there is nothing stopping the move from progressing rapidly before the end of the transfer window this week.
The move will be a return to his homeland for Ekwah, who left in 2018 to move to Chelsea’s youth ranks before heading to West Ham and then Sunderland.