Vanessa Gold agrees stake sale as West Ham face renewed doubt | OneFootball

Vanessa Gold has agreed to sell her 25.1% West Ham stake to a consortium led by Amanda Staveley, a move that could reshape the club’s governance.

The process is expected to take two months and day-to-day operations are not affected. The development comes after relegation to the Championship and a search for stability.

Gold called the process unfinished and expressed confidence in what Staveley and her partners could bring. Staveley is known in England for helping broker Newcastle’s 2021 takeover by Saudi Arabia’s government.

Czech investor Daniel Kretinsky, who owns 27%, had agreed on 12 June to buy a majority of Gold’s holding, a deal that did not conclude. That would have lifted him to 43%, ahead of David Sullivan’s 38.8%.

A new phase has begun in which existing shareholders can buy Gold’s shares at the consortium’s price through two rounds. In the first, they can purchase pro rata to current holdings, so Kretinsky could take 27% of her stake, equal to 9% of the club. Any remaining shares can then be taken by those who participated.

It is unclear whether Kretinsky will buy all, part or none. Sullivan, who resigned as chairman in early June before the revelation of sexual exploitation allegations by seven women, has said he is open to selling his 38.8% and also holds pre-emption rights.

Source: L'Équipe