The chief executive of one of Sunderland's League One rivals claims the Black Cats are offering "huge money" to players this summer.
It's the verdict of Pompey CEO Andrew Cullen who had been speaking at the Tony Goodhall Fans' Conference, and believes Ipswich and Wigan will also be investing heavily.
Sunderland are yet to find a breakthrough in the transfer market but head coach Lee Johnson expects two new faces through the door this week.
READ MORE: Stephen Wearne: The Sunderland youngster who stood out at Spennymoor Town
Fans are growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of movement, but Portsmouth CEO Cullen says the Black Cats are going for it next season.
According to the minutes of the Tony Goodhall Fans’ Conference on July 1, Cullen said: ‘The Championship is in danger of imploding, as clubs struggle in the aftermath of the pandemic!
‘Look at the interest in football clubs at the moment – new owners are mainly buying clubs in League One.
‘You can do something with a Sunderland, a Wigan or an Ipswich, whereas Championship owners are getting burnt fingers, throwing so much money at it to get to the Premier League.
‘Some owners are finding they can no longer do that as their own businesses suffered during the pandemic. In League One, there are three clubs spending huge money - Wigan Ipswich, Sunderland.
‘Only three clubs will go up, and experience suggests that not all three of those will. So at least one could be in a tricky situation in the year after next.’
