Daniel Kretinsky stance made clear as shareholder opportunity arises
Daniel Kretinsky is not expected to increase his stake in West Ham despite the opportunity to make himself the largest shareholder at the club after Vanessa Gold put her shares up for sale, according to The Standard.
The newspaper reported via its website on 1 November that the 48-year-old is not interested in an opportunity to purchase the extra shares at this stage.
If Kretinsky were to purchase the full 10% stake in the club, his stake would grow to just shy of David Sullivan’s 39% investment, while a slightly larger purchase could make him the largest shareholder.
Gold announced her intention to sell a significant portion of her family’s shares in the club in an official statement on 31 October, and had enlisted a financial advisor to support the sale.
Outside investment
Kretinsky, Sullivan and Tripp Smith, the club’s other shareholders besides the Gold family, were consulted over the decision and have shown no intentions of making their own purchases despite the opportunity on the table.
Gold shared that, with the memory of her late father David at the forefront of her mind, she will ensure that any purchase of the shares will prioritise the club, in an important step as there is plenty of risk involved in selling shares in a major club.
The potential sale of the shares in West Ham could result in further financial backing, with a new member on the board, and as such it is crucial that, as Gold shares, the right buyer is found who will invest in the best interests of the club – and we now know that funding won’t come from within the current group.
It will be a curious spell for West Ham, but major updates will be provided by the club and Gold as the search for an appropriate buyer begins.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are ready to send one player out on loan.