Amongst many other news outlets, the Daily Mail reported on Amanda Staveley’s inscrutable ‘maybe‘ comments when asked about the possibility of a West Ham United takeover.
Claiming their ‘exclusive’yesterday, the Mail suggested that talks are already ongoing:
“Former Newcastle co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi in talks over deal to buy West Ham”
“West Ham are now on their radar and exploratory talks have taken place with the Championship club”.
Ready to invest in a new football club: Amanda Staveley
However it seems extremely unlikely that anyone – PCP Capital Partners, (Staveley’s investment company which she owns along with husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi), or indeed Daniel Kretinsky himself – will be welcomed as ready-made buyers for David Sullivan’s 38% shareholding of the club.
More than likely Sullivan will hang on to his shareholding, which of course will have virtually halved in value since West Ham United’s relegation to the Championship.
David Sullivan may be gone from the boardroom but is unlikely to sell his shares at their low point – unless he has to.
Merely waiting another year for the Hammers to bounce back to the Premier League would net Sullivan hundreds of millions extra for his shares so, unless forced to sell, few would expect the former Chairman to be remotely interested in doing a deal.
And there’s the point. The wholly unknown factor in this whole equation is the newly established Football Regulator who may decide to flex their muscles over the ‘fit and proper person‘ ownership condition.
Quite how the regulator could act to force Sullivan to divest himself of shares is a matter of conjecture at present so more than likely any ‘takeover’ of West Ham United – by Staveley’s business or by Kretinsky himself – will be a long drawn out, convoluted process involving court proceedings which could drag on for years.
However, money talks so I’m sure even Sullivan has his price. Just not sure that Stavelely , Kretinsky or anyone else has the appetite to pay top dollar at present for a relegated football club in a rented stadium. Never say never…
Another Sullivan propaganda post,
If Sullivan had not jumped and was still in charge he would of sold players before the end of June to cover the 90 million shortfall leaving us years in the lower leagues so he would not have to put a penny into the club ,( he has been selling this narrative since February through,C&H), now he is sulking putting out “I will come back etc,” post through his C&H contacts, just no news Sullivan propaganda
As a malignant narcissist, Sullivan’s aim is control or as much of that he can get. That gets him the “supply” of attention he craves. So I agree he will hang on as long as possible and be as difficult as possible.
The “rights issue” is possibly the only way to get him to consider selling or a above market value offer but cannot see anyone doing this.
Sullivan’s death would be the only scenario that leads to removing the stain of his name from the club. Harsh but the reality imho
Sullivan is 78 years old.
With his past life this could soon be catching up on him.
Has he had a HARD life.
How many YEARS are left in the tank?
Yes lots of options. Sullivan won’t be coming back, so for him about the best price. And if Kretinsky & co force through a rights issue he’s left with a further dilution unless he participates, which seems pointless. Might make sense for him to sell now with some sort of promotion bonus in the deal, if we go back up with a fully established new regime who’s going to buy a minority shareholding that provides no control ? He’s not in the best position here.
There are lots of options, it will Take time as you say, unless Sullivan wants to sell but even if not there are options to reissue shares to dilute DS holdings and buy the shares from Tripp Smith and Terry Brown, DK himself could sell his shares and exit the club despite saying otherwise.