Fresh takeover claims over delay and when a deal could be done

The ongoing saga of the takeover of Sunderland AFC continues to dominate on Wearside, with fresh reports a deal could be concluded by the end of this month.

It was first reported in July that owner Stewart Donald had entered a period of exclusivity with a potential buyer – whose identity remains a mystery – ahead of a potential sale before the season begins.

The delay has been put down to the uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic with various forecasting to accommodate different potential scenarios needing to be done, but BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes reports talks are ‘progressingwell’ and a deal could be completed by the end of the month with thedeal soon to be submitted to the EFL.

The club has refused to comment on takeover speculation in recent weeks.

Manager Phil Parkinson, who managed Bolton Wanderers during a prolonged period of board room uncertainty, said he was being kept fully informed by owner Stewart Donald and insisted it wasn’t proving a distraction ahead of the new season.

"I can't remember being at a club where there is no takeover talk,” he said earlier this summer.

“That's just modern football and being a football manager in the modern game. I don't listen to it too much.

“If there's anything I need to know, Stewart Donald will ring me up,” he added.

“He's kept me informed of things along the way, I speak to him regularly and if there's anything I need to know he tells me. As you know, lots of people like to be linked with buying a club. Putting the money down and actually buying it, that's a different thing.”

Energy-drink business man William Storey, who is not believed to be seen as a credible buyer by the club, has also been a vocal presence on social media in promoting his desire to complete a sale.

*Sunderland remain in the market for a striker this summer- with Adam Le Fond re one of the names linked with the Black Cats. The experienced striker has previously played under Phil Parkinson at Bolton Wanderers and has been in prolific form at Sydney FC.

But the 33-year-old – who was linked with both the Black Cats and Portsmouth this summe r–looks set to sign for Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. Parkinson’s top target remains Danny Graham, who trained the Sunderland last week. Discussions with the striker are set to resume this week.