Nick Ware

Tue 27 July 2021 16:13, UK

Philip Beard has hit out at David Sullivan’s statement after his investment group launched a bid to take over West Ham last week.

The Daily Mail reported that a group of UK investors, fronted by former QPR chief executive Beard, had made a takeover bid worth more than £400milllion.

That was turned down, however, by majority shareholder Sullivan, who later told the BBC the offer was “derisory” and that “they never produced any proof of funds”.

However, in a statement detailed by Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan on his personal Twitter profile, Beard has hit back at Sullivan, correcting him on some keynotes of his statements.

He said that it was “necessary to correct unhelpful and inaccurate statements”, and that a formal offer had been made at “the figure Sullivan and had initially asked for”.

Beard added: “At no point were we asked to produce further information about our football strategy. It was quite clear to me that David Sullivan’s sole focus was on price.”

Set to rumble on

Sullivan’s impassioned defence suggested the rejection of the bid was purely because they wanted to keep hold of the club and ensure it is kept in the right hands.

But Beard’s rebuttal suggests otherwise, and that money is the main motivator here.

It’s a difficult one to discuss given the legal implications and the lack of proof from either side, but we can see this being something that continues to dominate headlines for weeks and months to come.

Beard said that the consortium “remain committed” to finding avenues to buy the club, so it looks like they aren’t backing down without a fight.

That’s something that will certainly go down well with a large section of the West Ham fanbase who have grown restless with the current ownership.

In other West Ham news, the Irons have made an approach to sign this English 24-year-old.

Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.