Sunderland AFC takeover: 'Three' new parties express interest in buying Stewart Donald shares

It comes after the Mark Campbell-led bid ground to a halt this summer, with Sunderland cracking on with their summer transfer business in recent weeks.

A new report in the Sun on Sunday claims there is fresh interest from three new parties in buying some of owner Stewart Donald’s shares in the club.

Alan Nixon tweeted: “SUNDERLAND. New interest for Donald shares. Three parties sniffed since Mark Campbell backed off. Deal would be less shares for less cash by sounds. But that changes on a weekly basis.”

Our Sunderland AFC writer Phil Smith addressed the issue in a recent Q&A with readers at the end of last week.

When asked if the takeover was going slowly, on hold or cancelled, Phil said: “I’d say extremely unlikely.

“The current Sunderland owners were really impressed with the plans Mark Campbell and his consortium had for the football side of the club, and that’s why talks reached an advanced stage.

“So perhaps there’s a slim chance it could be revived in future, but the deal broke down on the financial side of things and Charlie Methven’s recent comments about speaking to other parties in the background tells you everything you need to know.”

Donald has consistently reiterated the fact that Sunderland are not in need of investment in the short-term – and that any deal would be looking more towards the future as the club eye a return to the Championship.