The Guardian:
Niall Quinn is close to putting together a team to make an approach for control of Sunderland. Quinn would make no comment last night after rumours about a possible return originating in Ireland spread to Wearside, but sources close to the 39-year-old confirmed that in the past few weeks he has been actively trying to assemble a package to purchase Sunderland with the aim of regenerating the flagging club.
Sunderland's current chairman Bob Murray, who owns 56.8% of the club's shares, reiterated last week that after 20 years at Roker Park and the Stadium of Light he was prepared to sell up if the right buyer came along.
Quinn, a popular former player who is passionate about the club and the area, fits that profile but the Guardian understands it is premature to say that the Irishman is on the verge of completing a deal. He is, however, in the process of assembling the grouping and financial backing necessary to instigate the kind of uplift he would love to see and there could be developments in the coming weeks. Until a deal of some sort is concluded, though, there will be only speculation. Any new owner would have £40m of debt to add to a purchase price of approximately £20m.