Current Sunderland owner Stewart Donald has addressed rumours linking Mark Campbell with a potential takeover of the club.
Pressure is firmly mounting on Donald to sell the Wearside club after being a big part of their downfall which has been heavily documented over the last few years through Netflix series Sunderland Til I Die.
Donald has come under much criticism after sensationally revealing that he wanted to sell the club after just 19 months.
Some takeover interest has been reported of late despite the club’s failure to gain promotion to the Championship for a second successive season with Chinese businessman Sammy Yu credited with interest.
Campbell, an entrepreneur is another name linked with a potential bid with Sunderland Echo recently reporting that he was monitoring the situation at the Stadium of Light closely.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle as quoted by Sunderland Echo, after a meeting with Supporters Group Red and White Army on Thursday, Donald discussed a potential bid from Campbell in detail.
When asked whether he would sell the club to Campbell, Donald said: “Not on the deal that we had before.
“We’re under an NDA from before, but that previous deal – there was only a negotiation downwards after the original deal and a flexibility around the funding. That flexibility got to an extent where I thought that at that stage, I wasn’t sure if it was correct.
“If Mark Campbell comes back to me with a different deal – and I’ll stress again nobody is in the data room, nobody has given me proof of funds or a letter of intent – then can I consider it?
“Well the fans want me out, the abuse is increasing, they said I was killing the club. I’m doing my best, which I appreciate isn’t good enough, so if anyone shows me that [proof of funds]…
“We had a discussion the other – should I sell to him or shouldn’t I? And I didn’t really get a response. It’s difficult when you’re under the pressure that I’m under.
“If he comes back with £80million and he’s going to put £50million in the club, then financially if he sells that story and it looks right then that’s a good deal for the football club.
“Some people have said have you read about him in the paper? Well I’ve read about me in the paper. I’m not going to take everything that’s written in the newspaper at face value.
“It’s about the deal. Do I want to sell to a credible person and take the football club forward? Of course I do.”
Donald, also revealed his asking price for the club, which he confirmed was set at £37.5 million.
‘If he comes back with £80million and he’s going to put £50million in the club’ – So Donald is still waiting for his money back and a little more, given he paid Ellis Short £40m for the club in 2018 (BBC Sport).
That of course is fair enough, but he must accept some sort of blame and failure for how he has run the club.
It has simply been a failed business venture with seemingly little thought to what actually happens on the football field. The quicker a deal is done and everyone can move on, the better.
Do you think Mark Campbell would be a good option to have in charge of Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below…
