A host of individuals and groups have been linked with investment in – or a takeover of – Sunderland over the last eighteen months, while Donald is understood to be in a period of exclusivity with one potential buyer.
Here, we round-up all the groups who have been linked with the Black Cats, and analyse what their interest eventually came to:
5. The Red Bull Group
Again an unlikely option, but rumours were fuelled in July 2019 when sporting director Ralph Rangnick told Bild that Sunderland were the mould of club his group would look to invest in were they to target an English side. Photo: Atsushi Tomura
6. FPP Sunderland
American trio Glenn Furhman, John Phelan and Robert Platek were in talks over a takeover of the club before finalising a £10million investment deal. They could yet return and take control of the club, though - although nothing seems imminent. Photo: FRANK REID
7. Michael Gray's Consortium
The Sunderland academy graduate has made no secret of his desire to bring together a consortium to buy the club, and has told supporters he is continuing to work hard to broker a deal. Photo: Stu Forster
8. A Chinese Consortium
These reports came from the Sunday Mirror in April 2019. They suggested that a Chinese-led consortium were lining-up investment in the Black Cats as speculation continued to mount. Photo: Frank Reid