Monday 21 May 2018 12:24, UK
Stewart Donald has travelled to Wearside to complete a deal for his international consortium to take control of Sunderland.
Their takeover has been approved by the governing body subject to conditions, including Donald's sale of his controlling stake in National League side Eastleigh.
The businessman has already agreed to do that in order to shift to the Stadium of Light and both he and the EFL are confident the deal will be fully approved early this week.
A Sunderland statement said: "Following a meeting with the EFL on Friday, and the provision of further information, we can now confirm the proposed sale of the club could be concluded as early as next week.
"We would like to place on record our thanks to the EFL for their assistance during the process, at what is a very busy time of the football calendar for them.
"We are unable to make further comment at this time."
Due diligence has been carried out on Donald over the last three weeks after American Ellis Short agreed to write off the relegated Championship club's £140m debts.
League rules prevent one person from holding a controlling interest in two different clubs, meaning Donald must sell his stake in Eastleigh before he invests in Sunderland.
Donald is meeting the staff and being shown around the Stadium of Light and Academy of Light.
