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Chris Knight

William Storey plots new Sunderland takeover bid amid 'untenable' owners claim

Drinks tycoon William Storey claims he will launch a new Sunderland takeover bid following the revelations over the club's ownership structure.

Following months of unanswered questions on the subject, the Black Cats finally confirmed the shareholder split which showed chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus owned just 41% despite his buyout last year.

Madrox trio Stewart Donald, Charlie Methven and Juan Sartori continue to own a combined 59% of the club, and it was an announcement which provoked an inevitably furious reaction from the club's fanbase.

Donald and Methven released statements via the Athletic, insisting neither are involved in the day-to-day running of the club and that both would be willing to sell the remainder of their shares at the previously agreed price.

Storey repeatedly outlined his intentions through social media to takeover the Black Cats throughout 2020, sharing pictures of himself dressed in club's home kit outside the Stadium of Light

A club source told ChronicleLive that the founder of the soft drink firm Rich Energy was not viewed as a credible buyer, and the deal with Dreyfus was eventually confirmed in February last year.

However, the latest updates regarding the club's ownership model has led Storey to seemingly revive his interest in a deal on Wearside, claiming the owners' position is now 'untenable'.

He posted: "In light of the revelations yesterday I will be submitting a new bid to purchase @SunderlandAFC

"The fans deserve better as the club is being starved of investment & leadership. Languishing in league 1 is unacceptable & the position of current owners untenable."

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