Football finance expert delivers update on Daniel Křetínský mooted West Ham United takeover
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has suggested there is “no enthusiasm” from Daniel Kretinsky to complete a full takeover of West Ham United.
Claret and Hugh reported (5 December) that talks were expected to happen and may kickstart in the Spring of 2023 with the board potentially set to sell some shares.
However, Maguire has since claimed Kretinsky completing a full takeover now looks unlikely to happen any time soon.
“There’s no enthusiasm from his (Kretinsky) camp for a full takeover from what I hear. West Ham also have David Sullivan wanting to keep it in the family, especially having had his loans repaid,” said Maguire (Hammers News, 1 February).
Understandable
At present, it doesn’t feel like the time is 100 per cent right for the Hammers to be taken over. After the sad passing of David Gold, the board could well be keen to get to the summer and then reassess the situation. West Ham are in a very good position financially and it doesn’t make sense to upset the apple cart.
If in the future, there are serious desires to bridge the gap to the top six, then a full takeover from Kretinsky would seem like the logical next step to take. The money which has been spent by the biggest clubs in the league has grown and grown over the past couple of years, and Chelsea in particular, have taken it to new heights.
West Ham are stable and certainly in a position to be a capable top-half side, but to hit the next level, their expenditure will have to once again increase.
At present, ensuring they maintain their Premier League status and having another successful summer will have to be top of the board’s agenda.