The anonymous source said: "Niall has been busy trying to tie up a few deals which will be of a massive benefit.
"He and his backers have promised Roy around £25m. They're serious about taking Sunderland to the top."
Of course, this sort of money puts all Sunderland fans into frenzy mode, and rumours come thick and fast - left, right and centre.
Some of the names mentioned are:
Craig 'take a chill-pill' Bellamy;
Thomas Graveson;
Robbie Keane;
John O'Shea;
and last, but not least...
Ole 'Yet again I am rumoured to be going to Sunderland' Gunnar Solskjaer.