European outfit interested in Pierre Ekwah but Sunderland knock back approach

Sunderland appear to have knocked back an approach from Stuttgart for midfielder Pierre Ekwah.

Ekwah, 21, joined Sunderland on a permanent deal from West Ham in January this year.

In his first half-season at the club, the Frenchman featured 16 times in the Championship, steadily asserting himself as a key player for Tony Mowbray's side.

Ekwah has since featured in all four of Sunderland's Championship games this season, but it appears as though German outfit Stuttgart have made a move for Ekwah.

L'Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi revealed on Twitter last night that Stuttgart had tried for Ekwah, but that Sunderland had blocked their approach; suggesting that Stuttgart at least made an enquiry for the midfielder which Sunderland shut down.

Mowbray may be fearing the worst as we enter the final 48 hours of the summer transfer window, with Ross Stewart another name who could be moving on.

Ekwah - going nowhere?

Sunderland have two main positions they need to bolster in the final days of the summer transfer window; striker, most importantly, and then central midfield.

Ekwah and Dan Neil have formed a nice partnership in front of the back four but with names like Corry Evans and Elliot Embleton still sidelined, it's left Mowbray with very few options to deploy in front of the defence.

Ekwah and Neil are two key players and an injury to either one of them would spell trouble for Sunderland, so selling either one - in this case, Ekwah - seems extremely unlikely.

The Black Cats though look like they could be parting ways with Stewart despite their lack of strikers, with Southampton chasing a deal, so whether or not the club do end up selling Ekwah remains to be seen.

Ekwah - going nowhere?

Read more Sunderland news