Amanda Staveley may receive West Ham pre-emption rights: 'I know Amanda...'

Amanda Staveley may see the door open to take over West Ham United in full in the coming years.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the former Newcastle director could "add a lot" to the Hammers' boardroom.

Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi recently agreed a £150million deal to buy Vanessa Gold's 25.1 per cent shares in the club, a deal which fellow investor Daniel Kretinsky is now trying to hijack.

However, Wyness believes that the two could prove to be an effective partnership, and feels that Staveley would be a much more amicable partner for Kretinsky than current owner David Sullivan.

Sullivan is currently the controlling shareholder with his 38.8 per cent stake, but recently made it clear that he intends to sell the club soon.

Kretinsky and Staveley are both hoping to hold a share in the East London outfit, but it remains to be seen whether either truly want to take over in full.

Amanda Staveley could get 'pre-emption rights'

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Staveley could get "pre-emption rights" for West Ham if Kretinsky were to take over from Sullivan, but only if she can get herself on board.

That would effectively hand her first refusal if the Czech tycoon was to ever try and sell the club, but a lot needs to fall into place for that scenario to play out.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness stressed that Kretinsky and Staveley may be better served working together rather than as rivals.

"I know Amanda and Mehrdad; they would be good partners, and they could be very beneficial. So I think Kretinsky could work with them in some way," he said.

"I don't think it's the plan that they would necessarily be the ones that will take over, but they may end up with the pre-emption rights if Kretinsky would want to sell down the road. 

"I think it could work for both parties. Amanda showed at Newcastle, she was prepared to roll the sleeves up and get involved in a positive way. I think she could add a lot to West Ham as well.

"Overall, I think that Kretinsky would rather have Amanda as a partner rather than Sullivan and Vanessa Gold."

Daniel Kretinsky still 'holds the cards' at West Ham

Wyness told Football Insider last weekend that Kretinsky still "holds the cards" at West Ham at the moment, despite Staveley's efforts.

The Scottish businessman believes that he is capable of matching almost any offer for Sullivan's shares, which will ultimately decide who gains control of the club.

Wyness feels that is a "clever" move from the Czech businessman, rather than over-committing his funds and immediately trying to battle Staveley for Gold's shares.

The saga is set to continue unfolding in the coming months, and it is Sullivan's shares that will ultimately have the decisive say.