Daniel Kretinsky to become majority West Ham shareholder in 'very near future' - expert

Daniel Kretinsky could be about to buy out David Sullivan and become West Ham's majority shareholder in the "very near future."

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Czech investor will emerge as a "strong force" at the London Stadium amid Sullivan's ongoing sexual misconduct allegations.

The Irons chief has already stepped down from his role as the club's chairman in recent days, and could even end his involvement in football altogether in the coming weeks.

Wyness has made it clear that Kretinsky has the "ability" to purchase Sullivan's controlling 38.8 per cent stake in the East London club, and therefore become its majority owner.

The 50-year-old is currently the second-biggest shareholder at West Ham, owning around 27 per cent of the club at the moment

However, with the investigation into Sullivan's conduct still ongoing, he could soon be about to take over for good.

Takeover from 'sophisticated investor' would be 'good news' for 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 a takeover from Kretinsky would undoubtedly be "good news" for West Ham.

The Scottish businessman pointed out his shareholdings in both Royal Mail and Sainsbury's, and made it clear that he is a "sophisticated investor," who also has "very deep pockets."

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness emphasised that Kretinsky would likely try to nurture the club and "run it right" if he took charge.

"At board level, it does seem pretty clear that Kretinsky is going to emerge as the strong force here," he said.

"I think there could be a case coming up where we could see a cash call on the investors. Kretinsky has got the ability to meet that cash call, and if Sullivan doesn't, or chooses not to, then he will be diluted in his shareholding.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see Kretinsky coming out as the majority shareholder in the very near future. He'd try to bring the asset back up and get it straightened out, and run it right.

"He's a big, serious and sophisticated investor, with big shareholdings in the Royal Mail and Sainsbury's. He's very well known, has very deep pockets and is a sophisticated investor. So it could end up being good news for West Ham. 

"I think that it's going in the direction of Kretinsky starting to grab control over what could be a very important asset."

Daniel Kretinsky already has to plough in £100m this summer

Wyness previously told Football Insider that Kretinsky is likely to have to throw another £100million of his own money into West Ham this summer, regardless of whether he wants to take over.

He made it clear that the Czech investor has been unhappy with the way that his money has been utilised this season, and is ready to front up the costs of relegation.

Wyness added that Sullivan would also have to inject £100m from his pocket, but if his involvement ends in the coming weeks, then the responsibility may fall solely on Kretinsky.

A move to purchase West Ham would not be a cheap deal by any stretch of the imagination, as he appears likely to have his commitment tested.