---
title: "Sunderland: Michael Gray discusses ‘astronomical’ asking price set by Stewart Donald"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-michael-gray-astronomical-asking-price-stewart-donald/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-07-20T19:10:16Z"
modified: "2020-07-20T19:10:16Z"
---

# Sunderland: Michael Gray discusses ‘astronomical’ asking price set by Stewart Donald

**Former Sunderland defender and potential new owner of the club Michael Gray has [discussed](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-afc-takeover-news-live-transfer-latest-plus-fallout-dramatic-weekend-2917955) the ‘astronomical’ asking price set by Stewart Donald.**

The 2019/20 season proved to be another low point for Sunderland, failing to gain promotion from League One for a second successive season. Consequently, [pressure has firmly emerged](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/incredible-claims-sale-update-and-resignation-pledge-inside-heated-meeting-stewart-donald-and-supporter-groups-fans-grill-under-pressure-sunderland-owner-2916424) on Donald to sell the club this summer and it has now been confirmed that the businessman [has ended his role as club chairman.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53457685)

Donald took over the Wearside club from [Ellis Short](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/50955375)in April 2018 but his time at the Stadium of Light has been [met with heavy criticism](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/01/07/stewart-donald-moves-ease-sunderland-fans-anger-putting-club/), having sensationally put the club up for sale just [19 months into his tenure.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/50955375)

Multiple names have been linked with a potential takeover of the former Premier League club with both [Sammy Yu](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sammy-yu-confirms-takeover-interest-why-hes-unlikely-take-charge-sunderland-2911778) and [Mark Campbell](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/mark-campbell-monitoring-sunderland-situation-no-takeover-deal-close-2913537) credited with interest during the last few weeks, whilst former Sunderland defender Gray has also been [linked](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/nostalgia/micky-gray-lifts-lid-his-failed-sunderland-takeover-attempts-and-reveals-whether-he-could-help-buy-club-stewart-donald-2890000) with a possible buyout of the club.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Speaking over the weekend, as quoted via [Sunderland Echo](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-afc-takeover-news-live-transfer-latest-plus-fallout-dramatic-weekend-2917955), Gray went into further details about his attempts to find an investor and the figures that he has been quoted by Donald and the club.

*“I’m working very, very hard in trying to get some investors,”* the former Black Cats defender said.

*“I’ve made conversations with some people who are willing to take the club on, but for the right reasons.*

*“I’ve spoken to Sunderland a couple of times – not Stewart Donald initially, I spoke to his right-hand man Neil Fox – and I’ve been given the figures. They’re astronomical at the moment, I’ve got to admit.”*

Gray’s comments come after Donald made it known that he wanted to sell the club for a figure of [£37.6m](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53446645).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Gray’s remarks of Donald asking for an “astronomical” amount suggests that the current owner may be holding out for more than £37.6m. However, with pressure firmly on the shoulders of Donald and officials to find a new buyer, that price may need to be lowered.

A takeover needs to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible or Sunderland could be faced with another season of rudderless frustration in 2020/21.

***Sunderland fans, do you think Donald should lower the price for which he wants to sell the club? Let us know in the comments section below…***