It's almost time for a new era at Sunderland. They have a new manager in Lee Johnson and could soon have new ownership too...

Takeover latest

Last month, the Guardian reported that Stuart Donald had agreed to sell the north-east giants to a consortium involving the 22-year-old son of former Marseille owner Robert Dreyfus, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and current minority shareholder Juan Sartori.

Whilst according to the Sunderland Echo, the prospective Black Cats owner had a major part to play in appointing Johnson as their new manager last weekend.

The deal still remains with the EFL as many at the Stadium of Light await a positive outcome.

And in with a fresh look soon to emerge at the League One outfit, it may be time to move on from certain ghosts from years gone by - namely Danny Graham.

Graham future

Ex-Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson brought the 35-year-old back to the club for a second time back in September and as of right now, he's yet to pay dividends having failed to score in 11 league outings.

In fact, he was snubbed entirely by Johnson in both of his first two games in charge, which is a damning sign over his future. Indeed, he may no longer be needed.

Will Grigg and Charlie Wyke appear to be the first-choice options at the disposal of the 39-year-old whilst Aiden O'Brien is also able to feature in the role.

Even in his first spell at the Stadium of Light, Graham was nothing special and then he cost £5m in fees and £30k-per-week in wages - in three years at the club he went out on loan four times and scored the one goal in 42 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

It is now twice that the veteran has proven he hasn't got the ability to play for Sunderland in League One, let alone in the Premier League during that first stint.

New technical director Kristjaan Speakman must do all in his power to get rid of the £428k-rated Graham as and when the takeover goes through, there is a perfect opportunity to do so in less than three weeks time.

As Kevin Phillips put perfectly to Football Insider, the ex-Blackburn man is a "hustler" and a "bustler" but we're thinking that should've been directed towards his ability to still con a wage right now.

The two-time Black Cats flop does not belong at the club anymore and must be offloaded before he robs Dreyfus blind.

AND in other news, Speakman can deliver another Sunderland masterstroke with "exceptional" appointment