Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain has admitted that some of the proceeds of Jordan Pickford's £30million sale have had to be used to fund past mistakes.
The Black Cats, who recorded a £33million loss after tax for the year to July 31, 2016, at which point they had debts of £110.4million, have had to tighten their belts in the wake of relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.
Fans who thought there might be room for manoeuvre following goalkeeper Pickford's big-money move to Everton in June - and the departures of the likes of Jeremain Lens and Vito Mannone - have been left disappointed and angry amid speculation, vehemently denied by sources on Wearside, that the club could go into administration.