Auxerre consider ending Pierre Ekwah loan as winter window looms

Pierre Ekwah, the 24‑year‑old midfielder loaned by AS Saint‑Étienne to AJ Auxerre on 26 August, is facing a possible early termination of his loan after barely featuring for the Burgundy side who has only logged five substitute appearances totalling 52 minutes in Ligue 1.

Loan under threat

Coach Will Still has used him very little, and he was omitted from the Auxerre squad for the weekend trip to Strasbourg. The loan could already be questioned, with Auxerre reportedly considering terminating it in the upcoming winter transfer window. Ekwah has made five Ligue 1 appearances, all as a substitute, totalling just 52 minutes of play.

He arrived hoping to revive his career in Ligue 1 after a turbulent summer at AS Saint‑Étienne. He left Saint‑Étienne after refusing to continue in Ligue 2. Will Still initially saw him as a player who could bring mastery, experience and serenity after the departure of Elisha Owusu and the injury of Assane Dioussé. However, he has not managed to break into the hierarchy or win the coach’s confidence.

AS Saint‑Étienne do not wish to take him back, and have not been approached by Auxerre. The development has turned into a Mercato concern for AS Saint‑Étienne. If Auxerre ends the loan, they will need to find another club for him, subject to the loan’s contractual conditions. No termination has been formalised yet and Ekwah remains officially an AJ Auxerre player.

The situation follows a summer marked by a move from Saint‑Étienne and a refusal to stay in Ligue 2. The clock is ticking for Ekwah to turn things around before January.