New investor may become club ‘banker’

New Hammers shareholder Daniel Kretinsky is likely to become what could be described as the club’s ‘banker’ as the club heads into a new era.

The days of our club being described as GSB per se are at an end with KGSB being a more appropriate description of the new set up.

And it means that with the Czech investor on board additional cash in various areas – including player purchases – could be funded by cut-price loans perhaps via a Kkretinsky company at around 3 per cent – well below market interest rates.

Claret and Hugh understands the financial offer of help may have been available over the recent winter transfer window and will be again over the summer.

The Czech billionaire – said to be worth £3bn – forked out £150m for 27% of the Hammers parent company made the offer on top of the amount budgeted for transfers.

The Irons currently borrow money from MSD Holdings in a £120m credit facility with interest reported to cost 9% per annum. MSD is owned by computer tycoon Michael Dell and his family and they have become the new lender in the world of football.

David Sullivan and David Gold have previously loaned money to West Ham between 2011-2014 in shareholder loans, these were initially charged at 7% later dropping to 4%. Fellow shareholder Tripp Smith also loaned £9.5m interest-free.

All these shareholder loans are thought to have been paid off after Daniel Kretinsky bought into the club last November.