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Czech billionaire businessman Daniel Kretinsky is reportedly on the verge of buying a large stake in Premier League side West Ham United.
Kretinsky, who is worth an estimated 3.4 billion euros, is looking to purchase a 27 percent stake in the London club, with the view of a full takeover further down the line.
David Sullivan owns 51 per cent of the club’s shares at the moment, with David Gold owning 35 per cent.
Kretinsky could see his deal go through as early as next week in what would be a hugely significant piece of business for the Hammers, and it follows the big-money takeover of Newcastle United just a few weeks ago.
Who is Daniel Kretinsky?
The 46-year-old Kretinsky is a billionaire from the Czech Republic who has invested in various companies all over the globe.
He is the CEO of EPH, the biggest energy group in central Europe, and owns shares in German retail company Metro AG, French newspaper Le Monde and US department store Macy’s, as well as being the largest shareholder in the UK’s Royal Mail and the second-largest in British supermarket Sainsbury’s.
He’s also been the chairman of Czech side Sparta Prague since 2004.
How far down the line is his takeover?
Kretinsky‘s proposed takeover of West Ham could be completed as early as the first week of November.
Sky have reported that he is set to acquire a 27 percent stake, with the option to purchase a majority stake in the future.
What does this mean for the current owners?
It is still unclear what this means for David Sullivan and David Gold as of yet.
The pair have fallen out of favour with the West Ham supporters on several occasions during their tenure at the club and many supporters will welcome this change.
The pair previously resisted previous takeover attempts, but they seem to have changed their attitudes this time around with the arrival of Kretinsky.
