Sunderland takeover close as Kyril Louis-Dreyfus visits Academy of Light

Louis-Dreyfus watched on as Lee Johnson's Sunderland side fell to a 2-1 defeat on a dismal night at Shrewsbury Town.

Despite the defeat it was a significant moment to see Louis-Dreyfus pictured at a Sunderland game with the takeover in the final stages of the EFL approval process.

And it is understood Louis-Dreyfus has been at the club’s training base today and that he has spent time at the Stadium of Light in recent days.

Sunderland are waiting for final approval from the EFL, which once granted will see Stewart Donald sell a majority of his shares to Louis-Dreyfus, who will take charge at the Stadium of Light.

On Tuesday night, the prospective new chairman watched on alongside Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman, who will be the key figure in leading the planned overhaul of the club's footballing structure.

It comes amid fresh reports this morning in the Daily Telegraph that Louis-Dreyfus will look to move to the region.

The Telegraph report: “He is already making all the major calls behind the scenes and intends to move to the North East, once the EFL have signed off on the deal, as he does not want to be seen as an absentee landlord.”

Johnson confirmed that there had been contact since the takeover deal was first announced in December.

"There's been contact since the deal was publicly announced," Johnson said.

"I'm really looking forward to working with him. I think it's what the club needs, it will give everybody a boost.

"The quicker it can get over the line the better."

Sunderland's defeat at Shrewsbury left them seventh in the table ahead of the visit of Doncaster Rovers this weekend.

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