Donald in the stands to watch Cats defeat Oxford amid takeover talks
Sunderland owner Stewart Donald was among the select group of people inside the Kassam Stadium for the 2-0 win over Oxford United on Saturday afternoon.
The game was played behind-closed-doors but Donald, who is looking to sell the club, was among the various club officials allowed in to watch the game.
Goals from Luke O’Nien and Lynden Gooch capped a much-improved second half performance, with the Black Cats sealing their first win of the new season.
Donald has come under increasing pressure in 2020 from an angry Sunderland fan base to sell with the club facing up to a third season in League One.
It emerged last month Donald was in exclusive talks over a possible sale, but no further details have since emerged over who with, leading to widespread scepticism over whether a deal will be done.
There was suggestions that a deal could even be done before the start of the season, but that timescale came and went with recent reports suggesting a deal could be struck by the end of the month.
Earlier this summer Donald reaffirmed his commitment to sell Sunderland following a meeting with fan groups, before confirming his £37.6million price tag.
William Storey, Mark Campbell and Sammy Yu are
all keen, but it was revealed last month that Donald was in a period of exclusivity with another party.
There has been no further public comment since from Donald or the club, though it is understood Storey is not seen as a credible option.
Sunderland has been officially up for sale since the start of the year, though twice last summer the club came close to changing hands with Campbell and the American F PP group holding talks.
Donald has been criticised by fans, with sup - porters worried about the future direction of the club, the failure to win promotion and the raft of young players leaving the academy.
Supporters have also expressed concerns over the finances.
Madrox admitted in May the Covid-19 pandemic had slowed the sale process and stated they’ d only sell to a buyer who had the ‘long term future of the club and its well being at heart’.