Sunderland Owner Ellis Short Holding Talks With Chinese Consortiums Over £150m Sale

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The representatives of Sunderland owner and chairman Ellis Short have reportedly contacted Chinese consortiums over the possible takeover of the Wearside club, according to reports in the Sun.

It is understood Short values the club at £150m, with reports suggesting a number of firms in the Far East have been contacted by the owners’ representatives to discuss whether they would be interested in a takeover, according to 90min.

The Black Cats are currently rooted to the foot of the table after eight matches this season and the Sun report one potential investor pulled out of talks after being put off by the lowly position Sunderland currently occupy.

A deal has yet to materialise between Short and any potential investor, with discussions at this stage said to be centred mainly around sounding-out ideal investors.

Short, who has owned the club since 2008 and overseen six managers since then, has not publicly stated the club is up for sale.

In his time at the club, the American has invested around £200m of his own money into the club but he has faced criticism from fans over the club’s transfer business in the summer transfer window.

Short defended his record his record back in August in his programme notes but admitted the money spent has not been done so ‘effectively’.

He said:

“The amount that I fund every season exceeds the collective total amount funded by every owner Sunderland has ever had since the club was formed in 1879.

“I have done this willingly as I want us to be more than a club that simply exists in the top flight. Has the money been spent effectively? No – that much is clear and ultimately that is my fault. But it is not a result of a lack of ambition or commitment.”