United’s move comes as Simon Jordan makes a’surprised’ prediction.
Simon Jordan would be “surprised” if there was Qatari investment in West Ham and believes it will be current 27% minority owner Daniel Kretinsky who ends up buying the shares currently for sale.
The talkSPORT pundit responded on 2 November when Jim White put to him the suggestion that former Manchester United bidder Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani may purchase Vanessa Gold’s shareholding, which she announced she would consider selling a percentage of this week.
Jordan said “my nose tells me that I don’t think it will be the Qataris” and backed Czech billionaire Kretinsky to increase his share in the club, potentially to the point of gaining control by passing David Sullivan’s holding.
White said (11.52am): “Could it be, look over to stage-right, in comes Sheikh Jassim? Obviously having failed at Manchester United he might think, ‘Alright, maybe there’s a door open for me at West Ham United’.”
Jordan replied: “I think the Czech guy, despite his public protestations that he’s not interested, I think he’ll be the one that buys it.
“I’ve always felt that he will end up, bit by bit, picking off the equity in that football club and ultimately getting control.
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“So I’d be surprised if you’re going to get a Qatari coming in for 10%, with all due respect, the scale of West Ham United to the scale of Man United is feast and famine. I know that Manchester United have got their challenges right now it’s still the blue chip…
“If someone wants to buy the full share holding for a recognisable price then they may well sell it, but I would put my money, if I was putting it anywhere, on the Czech guy Kretinsky because he’s already in there…
“It would take him beyond David Sullivan into the 52% bracket, which would put him into a situation, if he buys all her shareholding… he’d have control of the business…
“I’ve always felt that this Czech billionaire would be the person that ends up owning West Ham and I’ve not seen anything to illustrate that’s not going to be the case… maybe he doesn’t like the price and there needs to be a settling down on the issue…
“I’d be surprise if a Qatari who was trying to buy Manchester United outright would think [of] a £200million deal, or whatever this might be.”
Assumptions
If the Qatari interest is based on a desire to simply get involved in the Premier League somewhere then it’s possible that there may be interest in Gold’s shares.
But a minority investment in West Ham is indeed a different proposition to a multibillion full takeover at Old Trafford so it is perhaps unlikely.
There is a belief within the club that it will happen though so whether that is just wishful thinking or based on some sort of indication from somewhere will become clear in the coming weeks.
It appears that the longer-term picture at the top of the club is set to take longer to become clear, with a belief in some quarters that Sullivan would look to sell up as soon as the penalty clause relating to tenancy at the London Stadium expired.
That passed back in March and he doesn’t look set to go anywhere, while it is hard to gauge what Kretinsky’s plans are at this stage as he also seems ready to play the long game.
If it is a new investor who comes forward then the chances are that it won’t have much of a noticeable effect on the football operation, but should Kretinsky make a big move to become the majority owner it would likely have a greater impac
