Storey makes bold claim amid £45m bid
W i l l i a m Sto rey i s a n a m e that just won't go away when it comes to the Sunderland takeover, despite it being understood he is not seen as a credible option by the current owners.
That hasn't deterred the Rich Energy CEO from again visiting the North East, during which he has outlined details of his £45million offer, his second attempt to buy Sunderland.
Stewart Donald looks set to sell a majority stake to Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, which would see the duo take a shareholding of 79 per cent.
That deal is understood to be close to completion yet Storey continues to press his claims.
Storey said: "I'm trying to get this deal done for me and my group to take over Sunderland. It's a massive, massive opportunity - it's a wonderful club with incredible fans.
"We've bid £45million for Sunderland football club.
"A formal, legal offer. Our first bid was on July 16, and we've done a new bid on November 19, which was submitted by my lawyers in London. T h at's £ 4 5 m i l l i o n i n c lud - ing £15million of immediate working capital for the club.
"Clearly there needs to be investment on the pitch and there needs to be significant i m p rove m e nt s ac ro s s th e club."
On the Sartori/LouisD re y f u s b i d , Sto re y c o mm e nte d : "T h e y ' re ta l k i n g about putting in £20million for a share redistribution which is in effect, all of the current shareholders and directors remain at the club and there's an issuance of shares and a new investor.
"S o th e c u r re nt s h a re - holders dilute and Sartori's backers come in. But in ess e n c e, n o t h i n g c h a n ge s .”