Amanda Staveley’s deal to acquire a stake in West Ham has been questioned by Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who believes Staveley should withdraw from the ownership battle.
Instead, he has urged the former Newcastle United director to consider buying Charlton Athletic outright.
Staveley’s consortium has agreed a deal worth around £150million for the Gold family’s 25.1 per cent stake in West Ham. However, Daniel Kretinsky can still intervene because existing shareholders hold pre-emption rights.
Kretinsky has already reduced his own West Ham holding by selling more than two per cent to Jakub Havrlant. The move puts him below 25 per cent and strengthens his position if he decides to pursue the Gold family shares himself.
ReadWestHam recently examined what Staveley’s ambitions could mean for the club, with the ownership picture continuing to change rapidly.
Staveley West Ham deal leaves potential power struggle
He argued that buying only a quarter of West Ham could leave Staveley fighting for influence from the outset. Kretinsky could also oppose any attempt to give her a place on the board if her purchase eventually goes through.
MacAnthony instead suggested Charlton as an alternative. SE7 Partners have put the Championship club up for sale, which could give a prospective investor a clearer route towards outright control.
His comments arrive at a particularly uncertain time for West Ham. Staveley has agreed terms with the Gold family, but Kretinsky now appears determined to use the rights available to existing shareholders.
The Staveley West Ham deal therefore remains alive, but it is far from complete. The coming stages of the pre-emption process will determine whether her consortium can enter the club or whether Kretinsky succeeds in keeping the shares within West Ham’s existing ownership group.
