Exclusive: Kevin Phillips makes big Sunderland takeover claim, suggests Newcastle key
Kevin Phillips insisted he would “love” Sunderland to be taken over by owners with aspirations to match that of the PCP Partners at Newcastle.
The 2000 European Golden Shoe winner, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the prospective takeover at St. James Park was “fantastic” for the North East and suggested it would have a knock-on effect for the Black Cats.
Bitter rivals Newcastle are in the latter stages of a £300million takeover which would transform the club’s ambitions, Football Insider understands.
A takeover has been long talked of on Wearside but has so far failed to materialise despite owner Stewart Donald’s open attempts to sell the club.
Phillips hopes that when a takeover at the Stadium of Light is complete, the club can make significant strides toward competing against their neighbours.
“This has been ongoing for a while at Newcastle,” he told Football Insider.
“It is fantastic for the North East in general.
“I would love Sunderland to follow now with new owners coming in that would like to rival Newcastle. Get them back into the Premier League and renew that rivalry which we all know is incredible.
“Possibly, it will have a knock-on effect for Sunderland and somebody will up their interest quite quickly.
“When new owners eventually come in you would like to think we would see the club grow.”
Takeover talks are likely to have stalled due to the financial uncertainty in football whilst all leagues are suspended amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
However, the likely takeover at St. James Park offers hope. A demonstration that investors are still willing to buy football clubs despite the fiscal climate.
In other Sunderland news, Kevin Phillips has told Football Insider club should only consider £250m style deal as a “last resort”.