A former Newcastle chief could buy into West Ham instead of Spurs after raising £500m, a board source has suggested.
The woman who effectively helped turn Newcastle United into the world’s richest club could invest her millions into West Ham next rather than bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
That’s the suggestion being made by a source close to West Ham’s board following reports linking Amanda Staveley to potential investment at Tottenham.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund bought an 80% stake in Newcastle in October 2021.
That was a month before Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky became West Ham’s second biggest stakeholder by purchasing 27% of the Hammers for £150m.
The other 20% of Newcastle was originally split between London-based property developers Reuben Brothers and Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
‘Ex Newcastle chief could buy into West Ham instead of Spurs’
After selling her stake in Newcastle, Staveley is said to have raised £500 million for a fund that will invest in another football team.
And West Ham’s fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur are among her potential targets, Bloomberg has reported again on Monday.
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But the ex Newcastle chief could buy into West Ham instead of Spurs after raising that £500m suggests a board source.
Sean Whetstone is a top tier Hammers source close to majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
And he has suggested Staveley could ‘kick the tyres’ at West Ham given some – or all – of the Gold family’s 25% stake in the club has been up for sale since last October.
Board source: Staveley could eye Hammers after raising £500m
Whetstone makes it clear it is speculation at this stage.
But he says it would be a surprise if Staveley did not look to buy into West Ham. Especially as the former Newcastle chief’s potential for investing in Spurs is being played down with Daniel Levy around.
“It would be surprising if Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners don’t kick the tyres at West Ham at a possible investment,” Whetstone said.
“Staveley sold 5.7% of Newcastle United last week and is said to want a new project in football. According to Bloomberg, Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners have reportedly raised £500million to invest in football with a number of Premier League clubs being looked at.
“It is further claimed initial discussions have been held with Rothschild and Co about taking a minority stake in Spurs, but experts have quickly poured cold water on that claim saying it would be difficult to assert any real influence over Daniel Levy.
“Nine months ago, Vanessa Gold announced she was considering selling a proportion of his family’s 25% in West Ham with Rothschild and Co acting as advisors.
“Buying a minority stake in West Ham could help Staveley and her firm broker a much larger deal in the future from within to make a potential takeover bid at a later date. Just speculation at this stage but never say never!”
Gold family stake in West Ham still up for sale
The likes of The Times claimed West Ham’s Gold family stake was attracting interest from the Middle East and US.
Last month The Sun’s Matt Hughes reported West Ham are one of six Premier League clubs using advisers Rothschild and Co to bring in fresh funds in order to strengthen the squad without breaching PSR.
But West Ham refuted the claim in an exclusive response to Hammers News.
The club said there is no point because West Ham can’t use the money anyway.
“It’s not true that Karren (Brady) has enlisted Rothschild and Co to help find new investment for West Ham,” the top source at West Ham exclusively told Hammers News last month.
“Even if you get new investment, under the new rule of wages-to-turnover – and wages INCLUDES amortisation of transfers – you can’t use the money!”
Last month Hammers co-owner Kretinsky all but ruled out a future full takeover of West Ham.
The Staveley situation could certainly change the landscape, though, given the fund that has been put together and her track record with Newcastle.
Watch this space.
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