It is a series that has lasted since the summer of 2025. Relegated to Ligue 2, Saint-Étienne had decided to activate the option to purchase Pierre Ekwah, then on loan from Sunderland. A unilateral decision that the player never accepted, refusing to play on the lower level. After a summer of high tension and the failure of amicable negotiations, the ax fell: the Franco-Cameroonian community chose to terminate its contract with the Greens.
Since then, the 23-year-old has been unemployed. His last appearance dates back to May 17 against Toulouse (34th day of L1). While waiting for his situation to settle down, he speaks daily with a physical trainer. On a legal level, the issue is still hot: the conciliation hearing recently planned at the Industrial Tribunal was postponed until the first quarter of 2026, prolonging the suspense.
Udinese, Glasgow Rangers and a mystery club on the lookout for Ekwah
Despite the anger of ASSE – which does not intend to give in and contests the validity of the break – Ekwah remains a golden market opportunity. The free agent status that the player invokes attracts envy. According to our information, three teams are particularly keen to revive it: Udinese in Serie A, Glasgow Rangers in Scotland and a third club whose name has not been filtered.
With around a hundred professional matches (Championship and Ligue 1) and with plenty of room for improvement, the former French U20 international should not stay on the sidelines for very long. It remains to be seen which club will dare to take the risk of signing the player while the dispute with the Greens is far from being resolved.
