STEWART DONALD is looking to find a buyer for Sunderland before the end of the month, with reports across the Atlantic claiming there is a £40m asking price.

The Black Cats chief has been looking to sell up and went public with his decision at the end of last year having come under fire from large sections of the club’s support.

It has been claimed that Donald was subjected to more abuse at Portsmouth on Saturday when he was leaving Fratton Park.

There have been claims that Pompey supporters had to 'step in and defend' Donald as he was singled out by travelling fans after the 2-0 loss as when he was leaving with his son.

That has coincided with a report in Bloomberg stating Donald, who purchased Sunderland in May 2018 after selling non-league Eastleigh, has stepped up efforts to sell before the end of February.

It is stated Sunderland’s directors have held ‘serious discussions’ with at least two potential buyers and that marries with Donald’s previous claims that he wants to move on within the next couple of months.

It is intriguing the report has come from the United States and New York, where Bloomberg’s headquarters are, because the club has had previous takeover talks over there.

Sunderland have previous been close to selling to a consortium led by businessman Mark Campbell and latterly the FPP Sunderland group, which structured a £10 loan arrangement with Donald.

Donald has admitted previously that his value of the club is somewhere between £30m and £50m, and the Black Cats are understood to have told prospective buyers the club could be worth more than £250m if they can seal a return to the Premier League.