Businessman William O'Brien is reportedly interested in launching a takeover bid for Sunderland.

The Irishman, who runs a European crane hire and storage company, has teamed up with a group of English investors with a view to potentially taking the Championship club off Ellis Short's hands, according to The Times.

Short is said to be keen to offload the club and O'Brien's party is reportedly one of several potential buyers.

According to the report, Sunderland legend Niall Quinn has been involved in the group's preliminary buyout talks, but the former striker has no deserve to return to the North-East outfit in a frontline capacity.

Sunderland have struggled in the Championship all season and are currently second from bottom in the table, facing the prospect of back-to-back relegations.

The team's supporters and manager Chris Coleman have called for a change of ownership in recent weeks.