Sunderland takeover could be finalised next week

Donald's role as owner of National League outfit Eastleigh had thrown a spanner in the works, given that the EFL prevents any one person from owning a controlling interest in more than one club.

In order to takeover at The Black Cats, Donald was forced to sell his shares at Eastleigh to already existing board members, and Sunderland are convinced that the deal could go through by next week.

On the official club website, Sunderland wrote: ''Following a meeting with the EFL on Friday, and the provision of further information, we can now confirm that the proposed sale of the club could be concluded as early as next week.''

They added: ''We would like to place on record our thanks to the EFL for their assistance during the process, at what is a very busy time of the football calendar for them.''