London Stadium: West Ham at centre of ‘alarming’ £206.7m forecast
West Ham are at the centre of an alarming £206.7 million forecast involving the London Stadium, according to the Sun on Sunday.
The newspaper’s print edition (page 56, 12 January) claimed that the remarkable figure of future losses calculated by the stadium’s owners E20 LLP is set to be footed by the taxpayer.
The report also claims that the Hammers paid just £4.4m in rent last season which did not even cover the £8.3m that it cost for repairs and solar panels to be fitted on the roof.
Another interesting detail from the report is that the Irons are involved in a legal dispute over a £4m payment that they were forced into as part of their lease agreement after Daniel Kretinsky bought shares in the club.
The forecast should not affect West Ham January business
That insane forecast should not impact the Hammers’ ability to back new manager Graham Potter in the transfer market.
The bill is set to be footed by the taxpayer rather than the club therefore the Irons should have money to allow Potter to strengthen his squad in the transfer market.
The former Chelsea man started his reign with a controversial FA Cup third-round exit to Aston Villa after replacing Julen Lopetegui.
The Irons could be in a strong potential financial position in the market as it was revealed that their pre-tax profit for the 2023-24 season was only bettered by Manchester City and Brighton. [Swiss Ramble]
The new boss needs to be backed this month, with the current squad sitting in 14th place in the Premier League, ten points below a potential European qualification spot.
The Hammers want to be back in European competition after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023, but the former Brighton man needs signings to get anywhere near that.
In other West Ham news, the club could be set to seal a transfer for a hidden gem defender from non-league.
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