Sunderland AFC takeover: Finance expert delivers verdict on how coronavirus crisis will impact sale plans

Kieran Maguire, of the University of Liverpool, believes that the coronavirus outbreak will place takeover talks firmly on the back-burner as English clubs get to grips with the off-field turmoil caused by a lack of regular fixtures.

Matches are currently postponed until April 30 and finance expert Maguire feels ‘clarity’ will be required before any sale talks can resume - especially given the more pressing cash-flow issues which could emerge in the short-term.

When asked if a takeover was now unlikely in the coming months, Maguire said: “Of course.

“Until we get some clarity, then whoever is involved in a potential takeover of the club will not want to get involved in English football.

“That's unless Stewart Donald is going to practically give the club away, but that is highly unlikely.”