After almost one year since putting the club up for sale, Stewart Donald could be about to sell Sunderland. Today, the Sunderland takeover saga took an unexpected upturn as the Sunderland Echo and the Guardian reported that a deal to sell the club was nearing completion.
It is understood that Donald is set to sell the Black Cats to current minority shareholder Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
Sunderland Takeover Looks Set to be Completed
Who are the Potential Buyers?
Juan Sartori, the Uruguayan businessman and politician, is currently a board member at Sunderland and owns 20 per cent of the club. He has been involved with the Wearside outfit since Stewart Donald took over from American businessman Ellis Short in 2018.
22-year-old Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is the son of former Marseille owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus. Along with his brother, Louis-Dreyfus is one of three heirs to his father’s fortune. A trust fund currently held by his mother stands at around £2 billion. His father Robert died in 2009.
Should the deal be completed it is believed that Stewart Donald would retain 15 per cent of his shares and former chief executive Charlie Methven keeping 5 per cent.
Cancelled Meeting
Current chief executive Jim Rodwell gave fans hope that a takeover was near when he cancelled a scheduled meeting with supporters’ groups.
In a statement on the official club website, Rodwell said:
“After discussions with the relevant fan groups, we have taken the decision to postpone tomorrow’s supporter collective meeting.
“The club remains in a period of exclusivity with a preferred buyer and due to the advancement and sensitivity of this process, it would be inappropriate to comment publicly at this time.
“I would like to thank our supporters’ groups, and the wider fan base, for their continued patience and understanding throughout this period.”
Sunderland Takeover Brings New Era
The takeover of Sunderland has been a long, drawn-out affair. However, for those fans who have been demanding change for some time, their wish could be about to come true as a new era at Sunderland looks set to begin.
The Black Cats are currently sixth in League One after the first ten games. The team have been defeated just once in the league so far and are four points off top spot with a game in hand. However, the team were shocked last weekend as they were eliminated from the FA Cup at the first round stage by League Two strugglers Mansfield Town.
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