Sunderland AFC takeover: Everything we know as Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus move closer to deal

But where does the deal stand, what still needs to be done and what about the other interest? We answer all the burning questions:

What stage is Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ deal currently at?

Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus’ deal was understood to be at an advanced stage when details of it became public a fortnight ago, with the initial Guardian report stating that Stewart Donald had accepted a bid from the duo.

And according to Roker Report, the deal has now moved a step closer to completion having reached the offices of the EFL.

That essentially means everything has been agreed at a club level, with the EFL needing to complete its Owners & Directors Test before the investment can be rubber-stamped.

What does the EFL Owners & Directors test involve?

The test is an assessment of the individual, or group, looking to take on the running of the football club.

It is designed to assess whether the potential owners can run the club in a suitable manner and that they have the required funds in order to do so.

The EFL state that any “directors and individuals exercising ‘control’ over a Club, as well as any shareholder with a 30% stake in a Club (or greater)” have to undergo the test.

Sartori is understood to have already gone through the test, and Louis-Dreyfus will now have to clear it too.

Potential shareholders have to submit a variety of information to the EFL, with the league able to request any details they feel are necessary to ascertain whether they are able to take control of a club.

They may be also asked about their involvement in any other football club, should that become apparent.

Have the EFL said anything about the deal?

The Echo approached the EFL for comment on the deal, but they took a no comment stance.

Sunderland AFC are also yet to publicly comment on the deal.

What would the deal mean for Sunderland AFC and it’s shareholding?

It’s understood that Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus would take a combined 79 per cent stake in the club under the proposed deal.

Charlie Methven would retain his six per cent stake, while Stewart Donald would see his shareholding diluted to 15 per cent.

Do we know much about Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus’ plans?

Various details of Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus’ plans have been speculated upon – particularly in reports coming from France.

L’Equipe have claimed that the Black Cats would look to appoint a Sporting Director were the deal to be completed, while there has also been talk of a ‘multi-club empire’ being built to include clubs in France and Uruguay.

We also took a look this week at what the duo could do – if they follow the lead of their family and in-laws at Marseille and Monaco respectively.

What about the other interested parties?

Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus are not the only party keen on a deal.

As reported by the Echo last week, American financier Matthew Pauls is also interested in a deal and has held talks with the club.

Representatives of his group have been shown around the Academy of Light and Stadium of Light and sources close to the deal suggest that Pauls has the necessary backing to purchase the club.

William Storey is another name which fails to go away, with the entrepreneur tweeting on Saturday evening that he had made a second offer for the club – and one which he claimed was ‘by far the biggest offer received by Madrox’.

But put simply, Sartori is very much at the front of the queue – thanks in part to the pre-emption clause that allows him to match any offer received by Donald.

The onus now is on whether the Uruguayan and Louis-Dreyfus can get their deal over the line.

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