A host of individuals and groups have been linked with investment in – or a takeover of – Sunderland over the last twelve months.
Here, we round-up all the groups who have been linked with the Black Cats, and analyse what their interest eventually came to:
5. Dmitriy Rybolovlev
There has long been hope that Rybolovlev - Sartori's father-in-law and owner of Monaco - could be persuaded to inject some of his vast fortune into the Black Cats. For now, though, it seems unlikely. Photo: VALERY HACHE
6. The Red Bull Group
Again an unlikely option, but rumours were fuelled in July when sporting director Ralph Rangnick told Bild that Sunderland were the mould of club his group would look to invest in were they to target an English side. Photo: Alexander Hassenstein
7. FPP Sunderland
American trio Glenn Furhman, John Phelan and Robert Platek were in talks over a takeover of the club before finalising a £10million investment deal. They could yet return and take control of the club, though - although nothing seems imminent. Photo: FRANK REID