Amanda Staveley appears to have been shut out of her attempt to buy the Gold family shares by existing shareholders.
Not long after the 5 pm deadline passed today, The Times published an article suggesting David Sullivan has purchased 1.2%, taking him to 40%.
Tripp Smith has acquired 3%, taking him to 11% of West Ham, and Křetínský’s stake has grown to 46%.
West Ham Shareholding Numbers Almost Add Up
When you add The Times’ percentages up, they add to 97%, some 3% short.
We know Terry Brown and Daniel Harris own 1.1%, which leaves 1.9%, which has most likely been sold to Czech compatriot Jakub Havrlant.
The Times might be jumping the gun with their story, as technically round 2 needs to be run, but the figures are probably the endgame, so just a matter of time until transacted.
It remains to be seen whether Amanda Staveley embarks on any legal challenge if she thinks the process has not been followed correctly.
David Sullivan has increased his West Ham shareholding
Could Staveley Now Turn To Sullivan?
It also might not be the end of Amanda Staveley, as she may approach David Sullivan to acquire his 40%.
He is unlikely to sell at a £600m valuation but probably does have a price in mind at which he would sell to her.
The threat of an increase in capital gains tax could focus his mind on selling to avoid potential increased tax liabilities.
I find the timing quite concerning as to me it smells a lot like; avoiding the purchase until the transfer window is closed to avoid the fans pressure for greater investment in players.
Thats absolute rubbish, it doesnt work like that. Once Staveley made an offer for the Gold shares and Gold said she would accept the offer, the pre-emptive rights process and the two month timescale was unavoidable. If Gold had turned it down then the Kretinsky deal could have still gone through, but as she accepted, the Stavely offer for all of her shares and considerabley more money – the situation forced Kretinsky’s hand and messed up the transfer window.
Not sure how 40% would be any value to Staveley’s investors, but the more I think about the increases it does feel like a blocking vote. I don’t buy the argument that Sullivan and Tripp- Smith are looking to sell their shares to Staveley’s investors since Tripp-Smith has been aligned with Kretinsky. Perhaps Sullivan considers his holding an inheritance for his sons and 20% each is nice round number, but who really knows and I somehow doubt we won’t find out any time soon.
Would Staveley pay that much without getting a controlling interest, not sure, it may be the end of her flirtation with the club