Rangers up blind alley on Pierre Ekwah pursuit after latest on legal controversy
Pierra Ekwah is being closely pursued by Rangers and others in a race that looks set to waste a lot of those clubs’ time.
Rangers have been interested in Frenchman Ekwah since the summer when he left Sunderland for Saint-Etienne after a year there on loan.
However, the move was brought about by the French club triggering a permanent clause in his loan deal and Ekwah subsequently refused to play for Saint-Etienne.
A legal battle has since ensued without him participating for the Ligue 2 side and Rangers remain on alert for an Ekwah deal, but the latest on the legal situation shows the pursuit from Glasgow is only wasting time ahead of a crucial window.
Ekwah legal hearing postponed into 2026
According to a new update from Peuple Vert in France the hearing to decide the disagreement between Ekwah and Saint Etienne has now been postponed into 2026.
The 23-year-old has refused to join up with them as he reportedly believes he shouldn’t be playing in the French second tier.
Although Rangers, Udinese and another unnamed European club are said to be keeping a close eye on the situation there is no prospect of him moving anywhere else until the legal issues are resolved.
Saint-Etienne reportedly have no intention of letting him go after investing in him, and the situation is thought capable of dragging on.
With the January window crucial if Danny Rohl is to have any hope of salvaging anything from a season blighted by the Russell Martin debacle, and the hugely-disappointing summer business done for the Englishman, the club surely need to direct the focus elsewhere.
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Youssef Chermiti exit to be key to Rangers window
A lot of the January transfer window may hinge on Rangers being able to move on Youssef Chermiti following his unsuccessful move from Everton.
The Portuguese striker scored as Rangers were beaten again by Hearts on Sunday, with the long-linked Ibrox target Lawrence Shankland also netting again for the Jambos.
But it was just Chermiti’s second in all competitions since following Kevin Thelwell from Merseyside.
The £8million-plus spent on him has proven a huge misstep and the Light Blues are bound to take a hit on that number, just as Everton did after two years and no goals, but if a permanent solution can be found in the New Year then Rohl couldn use the money to finally get a signing or two of his own.
Ekwah’s versatility to play in midfield or central defence would surely help a squad particularly struggling with the latter, but if he’s not going anywhere until the hearing is held then the Light Blues would be best off asking to be notified as soon as that time comes and going after alternatives.
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