EFL match ball. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)EFL match ball. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
EFL match ball. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Sunderland transfer news: Phillips 'sure' about Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Player tipped for summer bidding war

What a week it has been for Sunderland supporters, all things considered.

Not only did they see their side cruise past promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers last weekend, as well as beating Lincoln City on penalties to reach to the final of the Papa John’s Trophy, but they can also finally celebrate Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ long-awaited takeover at the Stadium of Light.

The young billionaire has been expected to wrap up a deal for weeks now, and on Thursday, his buyout was confirmed.

Estimates suggest that the Black Cats’ new ownership group are worth around £1.9 billion, catapulting the club into the top 15 richest in the country, and surpassing Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley's estimated net worth.

Former Sunderland hero Kevin Phillips expects Louis-Dreyfus to put his sizeable fortune to good use too.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I hope it is the start of a new era.

“It is great news that it is finally done because it has been bubbling away and people were starting to wonder whether it was actually going to happen.

“From a supporters point of view, it’s come at a good time. They got a great result at the weekend and they have also just reached the final of the Football League trophy.

“Is there going to be a big surge from the players and the club now in terms of a push for promotion? I would like to think so. The takeover can only be positive news.

“Hopefully Louis-Dreyfus puts his hand in his pocket and helps, which I am sure he will do. It has to be positive news.”

The new owner's spending is likely to remain fairly conservative for as long as Sunderland are in League One, but if they can secure promotion out of the third tier, his vast wealth could really come into play.

Elsewhere, former Sunderland loanee Alan Hutton has suggested that January signing Jordan Jones could be at the centre of a bidding war in the summer.

The winger joined the Black Cats on a temporary stint from Rangers last month, but so far has been limited to just four appearances in the north east, two of which have come from the bench.

Recent reports have suggested that the Gers have set an asking price of around £600,000 for the player, however, and Hutton has argued that a fee like that could make him a very popular target for a number of clubs.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I think he’ll be a player that Rangers will look to offload in the summer but I’m sure if he goes down to Sunderland and does well, there will be teams that are willing to take the risk and pay the money for him.”

Jones himself is less adamant that his time at Ibrox has come to an end, however.

He recently told the Daily Record: “The manager has told me the door isn’t closed on me at Rangers.

“I just need to focus on Sunderland and I watch from afar and hope Rangers can also be successful come the end of the season.”

We’ve gathered the rest of today’s League One speculation below: