'So I’m a little bit surprised' - Owner of League One rival delivers verdict on Sunderland takeover deal

The Black Cats remain on the market 10 months after Stewart Donald – who values the club at £37.6m - announced his intention to sell, and The Echo understands that discussions are ongoing with interested parties – as they have been for much of the summer.

MacAnthony, speaking on his podcast, The Hard Truth, said: “If you’re looking to buy two clubs, two clubs outside the Premier League, you’d have to say Hull and Sunderland are probably two of the best deals there.

“I know the figures for both clubs and those, on paper, would be two of the best deals.

“So I’m a little bit surprised, maybe because of the pandemic and whatever else and maybe in 8/9 months it will change and both those clubs will be sold.”

There has been a shift in power in Sunderland takeover talks – with the buying side now holding more of the cards according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire of the University of Liverpool, who believes that potential buyers could now hold the upper hand in negotiations.

And while many feared that COVID-19 could deter potential buyers, Maguire believes that the current climate could actually see more investors enter the market – as they look to buy clubs at a knock-down price.

"It's a bit of a double-edged sword,” he said, speaking to The Echo.

"I deal with quite a few people who are interested in buying football clubs, and there seem to be more of them about than ever because we have seen during COVID that there have been quite a few winners among high-worth individuals.

"Some industries have done extremely well because of COVID and if you're one of the few then you find yourself a bit more wealthy - and the power in negotiations has shifted from the sellers to the buyers.

"This means that potential buyers of football clubs are going around looking for bargains and they are in a strong position to drive down the price. I don't think COVID will put buyers off, but they will be taking a look at things.”

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