West Ham takeover: Latest Daniel Kretinsky stance revealed – sources
Daniel Kretinsky has made no formal approach to increase his 27 per cent stake in West Ham, Football Insider has learned.
The Czech billionaire, known for his partiality to blue-chip minority investments, has the option to take a controlling stake in the club for a set price.
It was reported earlier this month that the death of David Gold, whose 25 per cent share has now passed on to his family, would accelerate Kretinsky’s path to majority ownership.
Some have claimed that the 47-year-old could strike a takeover deal soon after the expiry of a windfall tax clause at the London Stadium on 31 March this year.
But Football Insider understands that Kretinsky will wait at least until the end of the campaign before he even considers exercising his option to purchase more shares from either Gold’s estate or co-owner David Sullivan.
Even if he did choose to up his stake, sources believe it is unlikely at this stage that it would take him past the 51 per cent needed for a controlling share.
The agreement between Kretinsky and his colleagues in the Hammers boardroom is known as a ‘put and call’ option and its price does not vary in events such as relegation.
David Moyes’ side are just one point outside the Premier League drop zone and their 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Everton last Saturday was their first in eight league games.
Much of Kretinsky’s time is currently being occupied by his other business interests, including his venture as Royal Mail’s single largest shareholder.
In other news, Rotherham United in talks to sign West Ham star Conor Coventry.