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West Ham takeover: Co-owner's stance on selling shares to Daniel Kretinsky revealed - sources
West Ham shareholder Albert Tripp Smith has no intention of relinquishing his eight per cent stake in the club, sources have told Football Insider.
It is also understood that there is unlikely to be any movement from other minor shareholders, who together own 1.1 per cent of the Hammers’ equity.
David Sullivan remains the club’s largest individual shareholder with 38.8 per cent, while Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and the estate of the late David Gold own 27 and 25.1 per cent respectively.
This site revealed in March that Kretinsky is keen to increase his stake in the club with an investment that would see him become the club’s majority shareholder.
The 47-year-old has a put-and-call agreement with the two other major shareholders for a full takeover at a set price.
But no formal approach has yet been made despite the expiration of a windfall tax clause at the London Stadium last month which many forecasted would accelerate the transition of power.
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As has been reported elsewhere, Sullivan is not looking to cede any control in the short to medium term, and it is not known what Gold’s estate’s plans are for their stake.
Sources have now told Football Insider that Kretinsky will also be unable to turn to American billionaire Smith – who first bought into the club in 2017 – if he does eventually take concrete steps to increase his shareholding.
The investor believes that the club has not realised its full capital appreciation potential, especially given that – despite a recent upturn in results – their top-flight status for next season is not guaranteed.
Kretisnky is also the co-owner and president of Sparta Prague.
His business portfolio is replete with minority investments in other blue-chip companies, such as Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s in the UK.
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor tells West Ham to bin Tomas Soucek and two other first-XI stars as exodus begins.