Daniel Kretinsky is set to become West Ham’s biggest shareholder after agreeing a deal to buy an additional stake in the club from the Gold family, but the Hammers are still expected to cash in on a number of key players this summer.
Kretinsky takes over amid West Ham chaos
Kretinsky is set to increase his share to 43 per cent, exceeding the current 38.8 per cent owned by David Sullivan, who resigned as joint chairman after being informed that historic allegations of misconduct were about to be published.
Kretinsky and Vanessa Gold, who inherited her father David Gold’s interest in the club when he died in 2023, said in a joint statement that the the move will strengthen the Hammers’ bid to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
“We expect to finalise this transaction in the next couple of weeks. Once the agreement is complete, group EP and the Gold family have also agreed to vote jointly on key matters and to support the strategy targeting an immediate return to the Premier League.”
Sullivan denies the allegations made against him by BBC Panorama and The Times newspaper, and has indicated that he intends to sue.
Kretinsky and Gold say they are “deeply concerned” by the allegations, and reiterated the club’s previous claim that they were only made aware of them a month ago when Sullivan himself notified the board.
They also said they had only recently been informed that Sullivan has faced restrictions on his contact with the club’s women’s and youth teams since 2023 as part of an ongoing safeguarding investigation by the Football Association.
Their focus now is on returning the club to the Premier League at the first time of asking with a successful summer transfer window.
“As shareholders and directors of West Ham, our focus is now firmly on protecting the future of this football club.
“Our goal is to stabilise West Ham, retain as many of our key players as possible and, under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
“We are also committed to engaging with our fans and all business partners to build a stronger future for our Club. We have already taken concrete steps toward this goal.”
PSG make approach for West Ham star
The Hammers’ new leadership are expected to sell several top assets this summer in a bid to rebuild immediately but sustainably, and Manchester United have been at the heart of these talks.
The Red Devils have made Mateus Fernandes one of their top targets to reinforce their midfield, while it was also revealed this week that they want to sign winger Crysencio Summerville.
They are not alone in pursuing the Netherlands international however, who scored in his country’s World Cup opener against Japan, with Fabrizio Romano revealing Paris Saint-Germain have called the East Londoners to enquire about a deal this summer.
Romano reports the winger is certain to leave this summer amid interest from both United and PSG.
The Champions League winners are preparing for the possible departure of Bradley Barcola, and have identified the 24 year-old as a replacement.
INEOS meanwhile may see him as their own replacement for Marcus Rashford, who has a £40m release clause to leave this summer.
Man Utd officially set to say goodbye to Marcus Rashford as secret £40m agreement emerges
The Red Devils have named their price…
