Breaking: Kretinsky’s landmark share deal with Gold family is ‘done’ – The Times

With the expectations running high amongst West Ham fans and uncertainty in the wider football world ahead of a summer transfer window and massive rebuild project, the situation in West Ham’s boardroom appears to be a little clearer this morning.

As broken exclusively in The Times  this morning, reporter Matt Lawton claims a deal is done between Kretinsky and the Gold Family to sell part of the family shares to make the Czech Sphinx the biggest single shareholder in West Ham United’s controlling company:

“Daniel Kretinsky becomes biggest West Ham shareholder after Sullivan scandal

Royal Mail owner’s share will rise from 27 to 43 per cent after agreeing deal with Vanessa Gold, who inherited part of club from late father David”

At 43 per cent Kretinsky would still require boardroom agreement from either Vanessa Gold or minority shareholder ‘Tripp” Smith who still holds an 8% share – but as the takeover gathers pace, within a week of David Sullivan’s resignation it appears Kretinsky has acted decisively to signal the end of the old regime. As Matt Lawton writes:

“The move signals Kretinsky’s desire to take control of the club after Sullivan resigned last weekend before the publication of a joint investigation…..
…It is understood that Kretinsky and Gold were concerned by the Sullivan revelations and had not been informed of them until about a month ago. Kretinsky is understood to be planning to provide additional financing to the club as it attempts to return to the Premier League.“

Sullivan, of course, at this stage cannot be forced to sell his shares but with the football regulator asking urgent questions of West Ham United following the allegations and subsequent safeguarding revelations, that situation may be somewhat ‘fluid’: Kretinsky, meanwhile, seems to be acting decisively behind the scenes.