Sunderland ‘agree takeover’ with 22-year-old Louis-Dreyfus heir whose parents are worth staggering £4.2BILLION
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A DEAL has reportedly been agreed for an heir to the Louis-Dreyfus fortune to buy Sunderland.
The League One side have endured a nightmare period since relegation from the Premier League in 2017.
Stewart Donald bought the cash-strapped club in April 2018 but has been unable to turn the Black Cats around, with the team sat sixth in League One.
According to , Donald has agreed to sell the majority of his stake in the club to Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
Uruguayan businessman Sartori currently owns 20 per cent of the side and is described as responsible for bringing in Louis-Dreyfus.
Months of due diligence and talks led to an offer being accepted earlier this week, with the deal reportedly set to go through within a fortnight.
Louis-Dreyfus, just 22, is one of three sons of Robert Louis-Dreyfus, the former Adidas CEO and owner of Ligue 1 giants Marseille.
Robert died in 2009 and the family's fortune is managed by wife Margarita, 58.
Forbes tally up Margarita's worth to £4.6billion with Kyril reportedly part of a trust fund worth £1.5bn.
Margarita is chairman of the historic Louis Dreyfus Company, founded in 1851, with total assets worth north of £14bn.
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In addition, Kyril is a distant relative of Hollywood actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who was Robert's second cousin once removed.
Sunderland are yet to confirm an agreement but did cancel a scheduled meeting with a supporters' group on Thursday night, citing 'advancement and sensitivity' of talks.
Departing majority shareholder Donald is reportedly set to retain a 15 per cent stake in the club with former chief executive Charlie Methven maintaining his five per cent.