Fresh Sunderland AFC takeover update emerges as Kyril Louis-Dreyfus deal hits a snag with EFL

Donald has agreed a deal with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to sell a majority share in the Black Cats, but the Oxfordshire-based businessman and co-owner Sartori would remain as minority shareholders under the arrangement.

The deal was announced on Christmas Eve with documentation forwarded on to the EFL from that point – with hopes a deal could be reached by mid-January.

But as we approach the end of the month, the Sun on Sunday have reported that the league are looking for assurances from Donald and Sartori before sanctioning the deal.

The report suggests that the EFL have asked for guarantees that Donald and Sartori will continue to fund the club alongside Louis-Dreyfus for the next two years, and that the takeover will be given the green light once those assurances are given.

It’s the latest twist in a takeover saga that seemed to be on the verge of completion when the club announced on Christmas Eve that a deal with the 23-year-old had been finalised.

A club statement said: “Sunderland AFC can announce that an agreement has been reached for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to acquire Stewart Donald’s controlling interest in the club. If approved by the EFL, the deal will see Louis-Dreyfus become chairman at the Wearside club early in the New Year.”

It now seems that the deal may take a little while longer and relies on assurances from Donald and Sartori.

Donald, speaking after it was revealed that a deal had been struck with Louis-Dreyfus last month, said: "From the early meetings with Kyril, his family and advisers, I have been greatly impressed with their knowledge and understanding, learned over a long period as owners of major football clubs in Belgium and France.

"I believe that experience, combined with a good plan, will provide a platform for the club to progress and I look forward to watching that progress from afar.”

Louis-Dreyfus is understood to have ambitious plans for the club should a deal come to fruition, with the club’s footballing structure having already been overhauled in recent months.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor:

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

We’ve launched a new transfer window special offer for readers to get 20% off our subscription package.

Use the promo code TRANSFER20 to sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor