Takeover expert reveals the fee Stewart Donald could receive from Sunderland's sale to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus

That’s according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who also predicts that Donald and fellow shareholder Charlie Methven could net a tidy profit if the Black Cats manage to climb the leagues.

Donald and Methven will both become minority shareholders if the offer on the table from Sartori and Louis-Dreyfus comes to fruition.

The deal would see the duo become majority shareholders, with Donald selling 59 per cent of his current stake in the club.

And selling that percentage of the club – based on an overall club valuation of £37.6million – could see Donald net close to £22million in the first instance.

But, as Maguire explains, that figure may only rise if the takeover is successful.

"Stewart Donald came up with this strange price of £37.6million, that was his asking price - which seemed a bit weird,” he said, speaking to the Price of Football Podcast.

“I went on to the Sunderland newspapers and radio stations at the time and said that a good price for Sunderland was somewhere between £20million and £25million. It looks as if the agreed price is £22million which is probably a better approximation of the value.

“But Stewart Donald is going to keep 15 per cent and Charlie Methven, who made himself quite famous in the Sunderland 'Til I Die documentary, he would still be owning 5 per cent so they would be minority shareholders.

“Why would they be doing that?

“If the Swiss billionaire does put a lot of money and Sunderland rise through the divisions and get back to the Premier League, then I suspect that Methven and Donald would be selling out their remaining stakes at a much tidier profit.”

But is a return to the Premier League realistic?

Maguire believes that, provided the right people are appointed, then Louis-Dreyfus’ financial firepower could act as a ‘real step-up’ for the Black Cats.

"The money is certainly there,” he added.

“It's the son of the former owner of Marseille

“If he appoints the right person as chief executive and director of football, then this could be a real step-up for Sunderland.”

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