Everything we know as Sartori & Louis-Dreyfus close in on Cats
Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus are continuing to pursue a deal to purchase Sunderland AFC – with fresh investment moving ever-closer.
But where does the deal stand, what still needs to be done and what about the other interest? We answer all the burning questions:
What stage is Juan S art ori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ deal currently at?
Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus’ deal was understood to be at an advanced stage when details of it became public a fortnight ago, with the initial Guardian report stating that Stewart Donald had accepted a bid from the duo.
And according to Roker Report, the deal has now moved a step closer to completion having reached the offices of the EFL.
That essentially means everything has been agreed at a club level, with the EFL needing to complete its Owners & Directors Test before the investment can be rubberstamped.
What does the EFL Owners & Directors test involve?
The test is an assessment of the individual, or group, looking to take on the running of the football club.
It is designed to assess whether the potential owners can run the club in a suitable manner and that they have the required funds in order to do so.
The EFL state that any “directors and individuals exercising ‘control’ over a Club, as well as any shareholder with a 30% stake in a Club (or greater)” have to undergo the test.
Sartori is understood to have already gone through the test, and Louis-Dreyfus will now have to clear it too.
Potential shareholders have to submit a variety of information to the EFL, with the league able to request any details they feel are necessary to ascertain whether they are able to take control of a club.
They may be also asked about their involvement in any other football club, should that become apparent.
Have the EFL said anything about the deal?
The Echo approached the EFL for comment on the deal, but they took a no comment stance.
Sunderland AFC are also yet to publicly comment on the deal.
What would the deal mean for Sunderland AFC and it’s shareholding?
It’s understood that Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus would take a combined 79 per cent stake in the club under the proposed deal.
Charlie Methven would retain his six per cent stake, while Stewart Donald would see his shareholding diluted to 15 per cent.
Do we know much about Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus’ plans?
Various details of Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus’ plans have been speculated upon – particularly in reports coming from France.
L’Equipe have claimed that the Black Cats would look to appoint a Sporting Director were the deal to be completed, while there has also been talk of a ‘multi-club empire’ being built to include clubs in France and Uruguay.
We also took a look this week at what the duo could do – if they follow the lead of their family and in-laws at Marseille and Monaco respectively.
What about the other interested parties?
Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus are not the only party keen on a deal.
As reported last week, American financier Matthew Pauls is also interested in a deal and has held talks with the club.
Representatives of his group have been shown around the Academy of Light and Stadium of Light and sources close to the deal suggest that Pauls has the necessary backing to purchase the club.
William Storey is another name which fails to go away, with the entrepreneur tweeting on Saturday evening that he had made a second offer for the club – and one which he claimed was ‘by far the biggest offer received by Madrox’.
But put simply, Sartori is very much at the front of the queue – thanks in part to the pre-emption clause that allows him to match any offer received by Donald.
The onus now is on whether the Uruguayan and Louis-Dreyfus can get their deal over the line.
*Joey Barton said Sunderland's 1-1 draw with Fleetwood Town was a 'fair result'.
The Black Cats controlled the first half at Highbury without creating any major chances, forcing Barton to make a half-time substitution.
The introduction of Ched Evans helped turned the tide of the contest but Sunderland took the lead when Charlie Wyke pounced on a defensive error.
Fleet wood equalised through Callum Connolly and had the better of the closing stages in what was a tight contest.
Barton said he feared for his side when they went behind, but praised their character in fighting back to earn a point.
“I think on reflection that is probably the right result, in the first half Sunderland were the aggressor and they were pushing us back into our half and they dictated the game and owned their territory to us," he said.
“I had to challenge the lads at half-time because we have been on a good run of late and we knew we had to get a foothold in the game.
“Second half we were brilliant, we set the tone and we had them pinned back but against the run of play a punt over the top has bounced in between our defence and there has been a bit of a mix-up.
"But credit to their lad, he has nicked in behind and finished it away.
“In the end, I thought we were the side who tried to win the game, we were unlucky, you speak of little old Fleetwood challenging the likes of Sunderland and being disappointed that we haven’t taken away maximum points.
"I think that come what may, they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and if you don’t beat your rivals, it’s important that you don’t lose.”