Sunderland takeover hangs in the balance as Black Cats haggle with US buyers over details

THE sale of Sunderland to an American investment firm is in the balance.

Black Cats owner Stewart Donald has been in talks about flogging his majority stake to New York-based MSD Partners for more than a month.

The takeover looked to have moved a step closer to completion last week when MSD’s Glenn Fuhrman, John Phelan and Robert Platek registered a new company, FPP Sunderland Limited.

But SunSport understands Donald and the Americans, who have attended games at the Stadium of Light, are still haggling over some of the details of the deal.

And fears are now growing among fans that the move could collapse.

Sunderland supremo Donald tweeted: “It’s not quite as advanced as people make out but better than 50-50.

“Nothing is done till it’s done. We will know in one or two weeks.

“Too many rumours with people pretending to know more than they do.”

MSD Partners manage the finances of Michael Dell – founder of computer giant Dell and the 25th richest man in the world.

Should their bid fall through, it would be the second failed takeover attempt in two months.

Businessman Mark Campbell had looked on the verge of buying the Black Cats at the end of last season but the deal was called off in July.