Crunch summer board meetings on Irons agenda

Kretinsky becomes a key player this summer

By Hughie Southon

A series of West Ham board meetings are being held this summer as GSBK get down to the business of deciding exactly how much is being pumped into the club.

With Nayf Aguerd now on board at a cost of £30 million and another five on the way allegedly, David Moyes – always a careful steward of club money –  currently has around £120 million to spend.

With £8 million probably going on Areola and reported Number One target James Ward-Prowse – even if available costing the best part of £70 million – the figure reduces to an estimated £40 – £50 million.

Beyond that we are learning that Chelsea’s Armando Broja is a £30 million target which would see – if successful – about £12 million left in the manager’s  “war chest” for a left back, right winger and another midfielder.

Thus the board are hoping that any additional funds Gold and Sullivan may be put in will be complemented by Kretinsky either in the form of extra funding via loans or straightforward input.

Every decision on players now needs to be voted upon with none of the board members holding a majority shareholding.

We were told that a series of meetings would be held through the summer as a result.