Amanda Staveley, former co-owner of Newcastle United, is leading a consortium that is close to acquiring a 25% stake in West Ham, according to reports. The club was relegated from the Premier League last season and will play in the Championship next term.
Staveley and her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, sold their stake in Newcastle two years ago. Their firm, PCP Capital Partners, has held talks to purchase the shares previously owned by the late David Gold from his daughter, Vanessa Gold.
Potential Full Control
The Times reports that if the consortium succeeds in buying the minority stake, they may later make an offer for the shares owned by David Sullivan, which would give them majority control. Sullivan resigned as West Ham chairman last month amid historical sexual allegations, which he has denied and plans to challenge legally.
Investors and Plans
The consortium is backed by investors from the United States and the Far East, who initially considered bidding for Tottenham Hotspur. Plans include heavy investment in the playing squad and potentially purchasing the London Stadium, with talks already held with officials connected to the London mayor's office.
However, pre-emption rights mean that the club's other major shareholder, Daniel Kretinsky, has first option to buy the shares. A joint statement in June indicated Kretinsky had agreed to purchase some of Gold's shares, increasing his stake to approximately 43%.
