---
title: "Sunderland: Phil Smith gives verdict on Stewart Donald’s asking price"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-phil-smith-verdict-stewart-donald-asking-price/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-07-23T08:20:05Z"
modified: "2020-07-23T08:20:05Z"
---

# Sunderland: Phil Smith gives verdict on Stewart Donald’s asking price

**[Sunderland Echo](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/stewart-donalds-asking-price-transfer-plans-and-bailey-wright-phil-smith-answers-your-burning-sunderland-afc-questions-2920708) writer Phil Smith has given his verdict on the asking price set by Stewart Donald on Sunderland.**

[Pressure has firmly mounted](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 the shoulders of Donald and the owner who took over from Ellis Short back in 2018 has [now resigned from his role as club chairman.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53457685)

The Wearsiders, who this year suffered a second consecutive failure to gain promotion from League One to the Championship, will now look for a new buyer this summer.

[Sammy Yu](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sammy-yu-confirms-takeover-interest-why-hes-unlikely-take-charge-sunderland-2911778), [Mark Campbell](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/mark-campbell-monitoring-sunderland-situation-no-takeover-deal-close-2913537) and former Black Cats defender [Michael Gray](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) have all been linked with a potential takeover, with Donald having confirmed that he is holding out for an asking price of £37.6m.

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

Giving his views on the price set by Donald via his weekly [Q&A session with Sunderland Echo](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/stewart-donalds-asking-price-transfer-plans-and-bailey-wright-phil-smith-answers-your-burning-sunderland-afc-questions-2920708), Smith said:

*“It seems a very high price for a League One club, particularly in the current climate when there is uncertainty about crowds returning, how it will take before we can have full stadiums, etc.*

*“One of the key issues with the price for me is that whoever takes the club not only has to commit a very high level of capital just to do the deal, but will need to then put in significantly more to get the club back to where it needs to be.*

*“It’s not just about transfer fees, it’s about building sections of the club back up that have been heavily depleted over the last couple of years.*

*“The club, remember, still operates at a loss, even if they are coming down as the cost base continues to reduce.*

*“So, yes, you’re getting a lot of major assets when you buy Sunderland.*

*“The Stadium, the academy, etc.* *But you’re also taking on significant costs and an obligation to invest in those areas.”*

Should a sale not develop over the coming weeks or months, [Smith](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/stewart-donalds-asking-price-transfer-plans-and-bailey-wright-phil-smith-answers-your-burning-sunderland-afc-questions-2920708) did state that he believed Donald would keep to his word and hand manager Phil Parkinson sufficient funds to bring in new players this summer.

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

The price set by Donald is certainly high and you have to believe that it will be lowered in order for a deal to go through.

A genuine offer is unlikely to come in for that amount but Donald is desperately keen to recoup his funds and that could see a stall in moving the club forward unless he revises his asking price.

***Do you agree with Smith’s comments, should Donald lower his asking price? Let us know in the comments section below…***