David Sullivan edges closer to West Ham United exit as journalist shares what businessman told him
Sunday People journalist Neil Moxley says he’s been told by West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan that he “has another club in him” amid speculation surrounding a potential takeover at Birmingham City.
Laurence Bassini claimed on talkSPORT on Wednesday (15 June) that Sullivan is helping him to fund a takeover at St Andrew’s.
Moxley suggests that Sullivan may see Bassini as the face of a takeover at the West Midlands club and that the money is in place for a move to be made.
Writing via his personal Twitter account in a lengthy, 16-tweet-long thread about Birmingham’s ownership saga, Moxley said: “[Sullivan] has tried to loan Bassini money before. To buy Bolton. He needs a front man. He can’t give it to the obvious person – his son Jack – as this is still a conflict of interest. He feels – so he has told me – he has another club in him. So, to whom does he turn?
“Someone he can control. Bassini doesn’t have in excess of £60m stuffed under his mattress. If he did, he wouldn’t need to go to Sullivan for a loan. He’d just do it himself. The deal marries up the ownership of the stadium and the club.
“The current ownership structure is very complicated. But funds are in place and ready to go. The transfer of cash will be made on set dates. The transfer of shares has to be done in instalments. The sellers need time to fill the listed company with other assets.
“I have to stress at this point that DS is denying this. But a variety of other people – including Bassini – aren’t. This is my best shot at where we are. We all hoped for a billionaire. It looks like one we know. Did I know that on May 7? No.”
Czech mate?
Surely, Sullivan is edging closer to leaving the boardroom at the London Stadium.
Speaking to Football Insider on 13 May, football finance expert Kieran Maguire said that Sullivan’s intentions to leave West Ham are growing clearer amid this speculation about a takeover at Birmingham.
Maguire said “there are major changes coming at West Ham” in the wake of the news from St Andrew’s and the fact that Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky bought into the Irons in November.
As per The Guardian on 26 November, Kretinsky has agreed an option to complete a full takeover of the Hammers, meaning that it’s only really a matter of time before GSB are gone for good and the Czech invasion is completely done and dusted.
It’ll be interesting to see what direction the Irons go in after that.
We feel as though the club has never fulfilled it’s potential under the ownership of David Gold and Sullivan and while we’re doing a lot better now, that’s mainly down to the brilliant management of David Moyes.
Just imagine what Moyes would be capable of if the financial shackles were taken off.
West Ham could be a new giant in English football if everything is done in the right way over the coming years.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have been offered the chance to sign this £12.8million goal machine after his club was relegated.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.