Daniel Křetínský is set to become West Ham United’s largest shareholder after an agreement was reached over the Gold family shares, dealing a major blow to Amanda Staveley’s attempt to invest in the club.
The Times reports that Křetínský is expected to increase his holding from 27 per cent to 46 per cent, while David Sullivan would rise from 38.8 per cent to 40 per cent.
Tripp Smith is also reportedly set to increase his interest to 11 per cent, with the transaction expected to be completed by the end of the month.
It is significant progression from the 49.9 per cent Křetínský scenario Read West Ham reported earlier on Thursday.
That was a possible route through the pre-emption process.
There is now reportedly an agreement.
Křetínský set to win West Ham ownership battle
The consequences for Staveley appear substantial.
Her consortium had provisionally agreed a deal worth around £150million to acquire the Gold family’s entire 25.1 per cent stake.
However, that agreement remained subject to West Ham’s existing shareholders being given the opportunity to acquire those shares first.
Křetínský and other shareholders have now reportedly exercised those rights, leaving the former Newcastle United director on course to miss out despite attending West Ham’s 4-2 win over Wolves at London Stadium on Tuesday.
Křetínský’s proposed 46 per cent holding would make him West Ham’s largest shareholder.
Crucially, though, it would not make him a majority shareholder because his stake would remain below 50 per cent.
Sullivan increasing his own holding to 40 per cent is another notable element of the reported agreement. He stepped down from his position as joint-chair and director earlier this summer but has retained his shares in the club.
West Ham currently list Křetínský and Vanessa Gold as joint-chairs, with Karim Virani serving as interim chief executive.
The club’s official ownership page has not yet been updated and still lists Sullivan at 38.8 per cent, Křetínský’s 1890s Holdings at 27 per cent and the Gold Family Trust at 25.1 per cent.
That means we should still distinguish between the reported agreement and the formally registered position.
Our permanent guide to who owns West Ham will be updated once the new shareholdings are formally confirmed.
For Staveley, though, this looks increasingly like the decisive development.
Only two days after she watched West Ham from London Stadium, Křetínský now appears set to emerge from the ownership battle with the biggest stake in the club.
