Amanda Staveley’s proposed move into West Ham United has been dealt a potentially significant complication after a new report outlined how Daniel Křetínský could ultimately increase his stake to 49.9%.
The West Ham Way reports, citing information from sources close to the ongoing share process, that Křetínský has a route to acquiring the bulk of Vanessa Gold’s 25.1% holding through West Ham’s pre-emption mechanism.
Crucially, this is not a completed transaction. West Ham’s official ownership register still lists Křetínský’s 1890s Holdings with 27%, David Sullivan with 38.8% and the Gold Family Trust with 25.1%.
Daniel Křetínský 49.9% West Ham route explained
The latest report sets out a complicated two-stage process.
Křetínský is currently classed as a person with significant control because his holding sits above 25%.
The West Ham Way claims the Czech billionaire could first reduce his stake below that threshold by selling a small proportion to businessman Jakub Havrlant.
He could then acquire around 9% of West Ham during the first round of pre-emption, potentially taking his holding to approximately 36%.
The report says Křetínský could subsequently sell around 2.2% to Havrlant.
If no other existing shareholder took the remaining Gold shares in the first stage, that could leave Křetínský able to acquire the outstanding 16.1% in a second round.
The end result would reportedly leave him owning 49.9% of West Ham.
That figure is particularly important.
According to the report, remaining below 50% would prevent the activation of a clause that could force Křetínský to acquire Sullivan’s large shareholding at a substantial premium.
The West Ham Way describes the 49.9% outcome as the most likely scenario according to those close to the share process.
That should still be treated as a reported scenario rather than confirmation that the transactions will happen exactly as outlined.
What would it mean for Amanda Staveley?
Potentially, a lot.
Vanessa Gold announced in August that she had provisionally agreed to sell her family’s entire 25.1% stake to a consortium led by Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and PCP Capital Partners.
West Ham subsequently confirmed that agreement, but the transaction remained subject to the rights of existing shareholders. Read West Ham explained the provisional Staveley agreement when it was announced.
Gold herself made clear that existing investors would have the opportunity to buy those shares before the Staveley consortium could complete its purchase.
That is why Staveley has never technically owned 25.1% of West Ham despite agreeing terms.
The latest Křetínský scenario shows how those pre-emption rights could ultimately prevent her consortium from acquiring the Gold holding at all.
Staveley was at London Stadium for West Ham’s 4-2 win over Wolves earlier this week, with Read West Ham reporting on her appearance amid the unresolved ownership battle.
Her attendance intensified interest around the process, but it did not mean the transaction had completed.
This latest report reinforces that distinction.
Křetínský has already tried to increase his West Ham influence
This is not the first time Křetínský has attempted to acquire more of the Gold family holding.
In June, Gold and Křetínský agreed terms on a transaction that would have increased his stake to approximately 43%, making his investment vehicle the largest shareholder in West Ham.
That deal was also subject to pre-emption rights and ultimately failed to reach completion.
Gold subsequently turned to Staveley’s consortium.
Since then, Křetínský’s position has remained one of the biggest obstacles to that external investment.
Read West Ham previously examined how a small change to Křetínský’s shareholding could become decisive in the £150m ownership battle.
The fresh 49.9% claim provides a much clearer picture of what the endgame could potentially look like.
Who owns West Ham right now?
For all the takeover speculation, the official position has not yet changed.
West Ham currently list:
| Shareholder | Stake |
|---|---|
| David Sullivan | 38.8% |
| Daniel Křetínský / 1890s Holdings | 27.0% |
| Vanessa Gold / Gold Family Trust | 25.1% |
| WHU LLC | 8.0% |
| Other investors | 1.1% |
West Ham also identify J Albert Smith as the ultimate owner of WHU LLC and Křetínský as the ultimate owner of 1890s Holdings.
Our permanently updated guide to who owns West Ham tracks the current shareholders, board structure and ongoing sale process.
That Page should remain the definitive reference while individual developments continue to change.
West Ham ownership battle approaches crucial stage
The most important point for supporters is that nothing has been completed yet.
Staveley has agreed terms with Gold.
Křetínský retains rights as an existing shareholder.
The latest report provides a credible route by which he could ultimately emerge with 49.9% and leave Staveley without the stake she provisionally agreed to purchase.
But until the pre-emption process progresses and any transactions are formally declared, West Ham’s official ownership structure remains unchanged.
What happens next could determine who holds the greatest influence at London Stadium for years to come.
And after months of uncertainty, the 49.9% scenario suggests Křetínský may still hold the strongest hand.
