By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
The latest ownership revelations surrounding West Ham are the only thing which make any sense at the moment.
It was back in June when the newly constructed West Ham board released a statement outlining plans for Daniel Křetínský to acquire 43% of the club’s shareholding. That would involve purchasing Vanessa Gold’s 15% stake, making him the most influential shareholder ahead of David Sullivan, who currently holds 38%.
However, nearly two months have passed with no indication that Křetínský is any closer to increasing his slice of the pie or, indeed, injecting the much-talked-about £90 million into the club from his own finances.
In many respects, it’s all gone quiet on the Křetínský front, and that silence has coincided with West Ham’s inactivity in the transfer market.
Of course, plenty of Hammers fans have said there’s nothing to worry about. But as things stand, I’ve already questioned why everything has gone so quiet, and Nuno Espírito Santo looks set to take his side into the club’s final pre-season friendly without a single new signing.
That alone is enough to have supporters asking questions.
Vanessa Gold could now sell to Staveley
Staveley changes the picture
The earlier revelation from Sky News that Amanda Staveley is looking to buy Vanessa Gold’s shareholding suddenly makes a lot more sense.
If the report is accurate, it would point towards Daniel Křetínský not becoming the dominant shareholder at West Ham after all.
If that’s the case, then all of the previous plans and promises effectively go out of the window.
Two weeks ago, Claret & Hugh exclusively revealed the Reuben brothers were eyeing a stake in West Ham. That story now carries a lot more weight given Staveley’s continued involvement and her long-standing relationship with the billionaire brothers.
The pieces are beginning to fit
David and Simon Reuben are British billionaire businessmen who have worked closely with Staveley at Newcastle United and on numerous other business ventures.
As Claret & Hugh revealed, the pair were heavily involved in the regeneration of the Olympic Village in Stratford and retain significant property interests in the area.
Whether all of this ultimately comes to fruition remains to be seen.
But if the reports are accurate, I’d expect events to move very quickly indeed.
It’s speculation but I can tell you now unless we make good signings we will struggle for promotion. On the face of it nothing has changed with recruitment . Slow ponderous and worrying . So whoever in in control needs to sit up and take notice if you don’t recruit we will stay in the championship which affects revenue and decreases the value of the club . Someone on the board must have business nouse and need to wake up. Lack of incoming signings will hurt your own purses , the fans , players & club overall . From this fan it is not good enough
Whatever the final outcome is will it all happen quick enough to get signings in for start of season.
Or have fans been duped?
Most of whom won’t really understand high finance technology and just want a successful team.
It’s speculation but I can tell you now unless we make good signings we will struggle for promotion. On the face of it nothing has changed with recruitment . Slow ponderous and worrying . So whoever in in control needs to sit up and take notice if you don’t recruit we will stay in the championship which affects revenue and decreases the value of the club . Someone on the board must have business nouse and need to wake up. Lack of incoming signings will hurt your own purses , the fans , players & club overall . From this fan it is not good enough
Did Kretinsky ever really want to own West Ham. Even prior to this news he only wanted 48% under the plans that he made public, he never wanted 51% and total control. Maybe he’s perfectly okay just being a shareholder under a new consortium takeover. He has been described for a long time as just a business investor.
It’s all just speculation at the moment & let’s face it, it wouldn’t be West Ham if it was all plain sailing & straightforward anyway!
The lack of signings is worrying though, but even without any at all we should still finish mid-table or maybe just about make the play-offs! 🤭 ⚒⚒⚒🏴