Daniel Kretinsky 'calling the shots' as talks accelerate for full West Ham takeover - Keith Wyness
Daniel Kretinsky is "calling the shots" at West Ham United at the moment as he looks to take greater control of the club.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Hammers can now see "light at the end of the tunnel" in terms of their future at board level.
Kretinsky recently agreed a deal with Vanessa Gold to increase his stake in the club to 43 per cent, a deal which would make him the largest shareholder.
Wyness believes that the Czech businessman is unlikely to stop there, and is eyeing up a full takeover of the East London club in the coming weeks.
Recent reports have also suggested that former Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley has held preliminary talks over a possible deal.
Staveley was part of the PIF takeover in the North East, and is now eyeing up a return to football with her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
Daniel Kretinsky 'negotiations ongoing' at West Ham
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 Kretinsky could bring in another partner to run things at West Ham.
The Scottish businessman made it clear that the 50-year-old is still trying to reach the stage of majority control with the club.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he stressed that negotiations over a takeover remain ongoing behind the scenes.
"Now I can really see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of this coming forward if Kretinsky carries on and gets to majority control," Wyness said.
"He's not there yet, but I'm sure that will be part of the negotiations ongoing right now. He may bring in another partner, or he may have another financial solution to a way forward.
"But there's no doubt that he's calling the shots right now. As I say, it seems to have calmed down the way that they're looking at this."
West Ham quartet plot U-turn after Kretinsky move
Wyness also told Football Insider that Kretinsky's move to buy a bigger stake in the club could prompt several first-team players to alter their stance on their futures.
The former boardroom man made it clear that the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Kyle Walker-Peters and Mads Hermansen may all have "second thoughts" about leaving the club, if Kretinsky gains control.
Wyness emphasised that the duo of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville are likely to be moving on regardless of what happens at the top of the club.
However, he was adamant that developments in the boardroom may impact the futures of some experienced stars, and convince them to stay put and help the club get back to the Premier League.