West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur will meet on Saturday but the most important battle between the two clubs could be won off the pitch.
Money makes the world go round and that’s never been more true than in the Premier League.
There’s no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham in the stands, on the pitch or in the boardroom.
That will become apparent when the London rivals meet in the Premier League this weekend.
But the most important contest between the Hammers and Spurs might be off the pitch and very much centres around money.
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur have been actively looking for fresh investment.
Earlier this summer The Sun’s Matt Hughes revealed West Ham were one of six Prem clubs using advisers Rothschild and Co to bring in fresh funds amid strict and restrictive new PSR rules.
Hammers and Spurs actively seeking new investment
Meanwhile Tottenham have been targeted by PSG’s Qatari owners for investment in the last year.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky became West Ham’s second biggest stakeholder by purchasing 27 per cent of the club for £150m almost three years ago.
Many Hammers fans hoped Kretinsky, who is now worth a whopping £13bn, would eventually launch a full takeover bid at the London Stadium.
There were claims that could be the case from a former West Ham employee over the weekend.
But a top source inside West Ham denied that’s the case.
Back in August it was claimed a well known name with a £500m fund was weighing up buying into West Ham or Tottenham.
Now the mega rich financier has chosen between West Ham and Spurs amid two big updates.
Financier has chosen between West Ham and Spurs
After selling her stake in Newcastle, Amanda Staveley is said to have raised half a billion pounds which she wants to invest in another Premier League club.
West Ham’s fierce rivals Tottenham were chief among her targets according to Bloomberg recently.
But in the wake of news of a potential investment in Spurs, a top Hammers board source claimed a Staveley-led fund could buy into West Ham instead.
Especially with the Gold family’s West Ham stake being up for sale since last year.
It seems Staveley made have made her choice, though.
And it’s bad news for the Hammers.
Journalist Alan Nixon has revealed Staveley is in active talks to invest in Tottenham.
Talks are seemingly so serious she could go after her former manager as her first order of business if it goes through.
“Intriguingly the Tottenham job could come up if Amanda Staveley and her team can get into a position of power,” Nixon said on his Patreon.
“Staveley is a massive supporter of Howe from Newcastle days and he would be top of their wish lift if things do not improve for Ange Postecoglou.
“The projected buy-in by Staveley and her money men is taking some time to happen and that project still appears weeks from completion.”
Staveley seen at Spurs, what next for West Ham?
After Nixon’s update, a picture has emerged of Staveley which underlines that Spurs stand to benefit from her investment rather than West Ham.
The woman who helped open the door for Newcastle to become the richest club on the planet was seen schmoozing in a box at Tottenham’s ground during the NFL match there at the weekend.
With a full Kretinsky takeover ruled out, it begs the question whether the Hammers will find a suitable buyer for the Gold family stake.
At least 10 per cent of the family’s 25 per cent stake in West Ham has been up for almost a year now.
On October 31st last year, Vanessa Gold said she wants to sell to ‘the right partner’.
“I have spoken to each of the other three major shareholders at West Ham United, David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky and Tripp Smith, who have been very supportive,” she said.
“Any transaction to purchase some of our shares will be with my father’s legacy at the forefront of my mind which, of course, prioritises his beloved West Ham United.
“I have appointed Rothschild and Co to advise us on any discussions and will keep the other shareholders, the club and our supporters updated on any significant developments.”