Sunderland owner Ellis Short is reportedly prepared to accept £50m for the club as he eyes a quick sale.
The Black Cats have endured a torrid 18 months on and off the pitch, with financial difficulties leading to their relegation from the Premier League last year and the problems continuing this season in the Championship, where they sit rock bottom of the table.
Short drafted in Martin Bain as managing director in order to make Sunderland an attractive prospect for sale but Bain has struggled to contain the club's significant wage bill, which is believed to be around the £35m-a-year mark.
According to The Mirror, the club's perilous position in the league has convinced Short to get out as quickly as possible and he has indicated that he will accept a takeover offer in the region of £50m.
"The club has very good infrastructure and nothing hiding under the bonnet now," a source told the newspaper. "The club needs a buyer."
Black Cats manager Chris Coleman hit out at Short earlier this week, claiming that "his love for the club was yesterday".
