Sunderland have rejected a EUR5m offer from Udinese for 22-year-old Pierre Ekwah, and now they face renewed pressure as newly promoted Ligue 1 side AS Saint-Etienne expresses interest in the French midfielder.

West Ham, who sold Ekwah to Sunderland for a modest PS350k, cleverly included a 35% sell-on clause in the deal, positioning ourselves for a potential financial boost if Ekwah is sold.

The Black Cats are reportedly holding out for PS7m for the midfielder which could yield the Hammers a PS2m cash injection at just the right time.

A top club insider told C&H, "We decided to let the lad go because at the time, nobody was sure he'd make it".

At the beginning of this, Sunderland's manager, Regis Le Bris, acknowledged that Ekwah could depart amid growing interest.

Udinese made the first move with a EUR5m bid, but it was turned down by the Championship club.

Now, Saint-Etienne, desperate to strengthen after losing their first two Ligue 1 matches, are targeting Ekwah as they seek a holding midfielder.

The French side had previously considered RC Lens' Salis Abdul Samed and Salzburg's Mamady Diambou, but their focus has shifted to Ekwah.

Sunderland, however, are standing firm, demanding between PS6m-PS7m for the midfielder.

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