Fresh Amanda Staveley, West Ham takeover possibility emerges after Daniel Kretinsky deal | OneFootball

Football finance expert Stefan Borson has given his verdict on Amanda Staveley's chances of becoming a part of the West Ham ownership

Football finance expert Stefan Borson believes that the door is still open for Amanda Staveley to become a part of the West Ham ownership.

The former Newcastle United minority shareholder has put together a consortium that has spent the summer looking to become a part of the ownership at the London Stadium.

The 53-year-old exited from her role with the Magpies in July 2024, and has since been linked with a return to football ownership through Tottenham Hotspur, and now the Hammers.

It was reported earlier this year that Staveley struck an agreement with Vanessa Gold to purchase the Gold family’s 25.1 per cent stake in the Championship side.

However, existing shareholder Daniel Kretinsky has used his pre-emption rights to agree a deal ahead of her, which will make him the majority shareholder.

This will take the Czech businessman’s stake in the club to around 46 per cent, with David Sullivan also still a part of the ownership, despite an ongoing investigation by the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) due to allegations made regarding his conduct.

West Ham door is still open to Amanda Staveley

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Borson has claimed that the door could still be open to Staveley at West Ham if Sullivan’s shares come into play, as she has already laid the groundwork to become involved with the club.

And while he believes the most likely outcome is that Kretinsky takes full control of the club, he’s suggested that the 51-year-old could also seek a partner to come in with him, which could again open the door for Staveley.

“If you look at the scenario that we have with Sullivan, he’s still under investigation by the police, but also the IFR is seeking further information," said Borson, via Talksport.

“And they may well decide that he’s not fit to continue as a director, or a significant shareholder, of the club.

“Now if that was to happen, then those shares are then in play.

“You’d think that the work Amanda Staveley and her consortium have done may well put them in place to bid for those shares.

“But I think the likelihood is that we’re on a pathway to Kretinsky being the ultimate owner here, be it now or in due course.

“So I think there’s a chance that, instead of if, for example Kretinsky doesn’t want to spend the money that it’s going to take to take Sullivan out, in that scenario it’s possible he’ll look for a partnership, perhaps with Staveley, or somebody else.”

West Ham’s drop in valuation

West Ham were valued at around £700 million when Kretinsky purchased a 27 per cent stake in the club for somewhere between £180 and £200 million in 2021.

But this figure has now dropped by £100 million, with the Gold family stake being sold for £150 million, valuing the Hammers at £600 million.

This comes as a natural consequence of suffering relegation from the Premier League, and the London outfit will be keen to gain promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt this season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have earned 11 points from their opening six games, winning their three most recent fixtures on the bounce.

But they will face stiff competition for a top two finish this year, in what could be a hotly-contested battle for automatic promotion.

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Amanda Staveley is being locked out of West Ham

Staveley’s interest in West Ham makes a lot of sense when you consider their drop in valuation, as she must see it as an asset that could appreciate over time with the right level of investment.

The Hammers have far more resources than their Championship rivals, and really should be earning automatic promotion this season.

A return to the Premier League will improve their theoretical value alone, and further investment could bring the team back to a stable footing in the division.

If that can be achieved in just the next few years with Staveley on board, then her stake in the club could become a lot more valuable than the current shares are worth.

But, for now, it appears that Kretinsky has successfully blocked a straightforward path for her to enter into the West Ham ownership.