A consortium led by former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley has held talks about purchasing a 25% stake in West Ham, with the group expressing a firm interest in acquiring the shares held by Vanessa Gold.
Staveley's husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, is part of the consortium, which has secured global investment in an effort to push a deal forward. Discussions have developed in recent weeks, according to sources, and the group is open to buying further shares that could eventually make them majority shareholders at the club.
Staveley's Consortium Targets Vanessa Gold's Stake
The consortium's immediate focus is on the 25% stake in West Ham currently held by Vanessa Gold. The group made initial enquiries about investing in the club toward the end of last season, a campaign that ended with the Hammers being relegated from the top flight. Since those early approaches, talks have progressed, and Staveley is understood to have assembled backing from global investors to support a potential acquisition.
The interest from Staveley's group signals a significant moment for West Ham's ownership structure. The club's major shareholders are currently David Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky, and the arrival of a well-funded consortium could reshape the balance of power at the London club.
Background: From Newcastle Exit to New Football Ambitions
Amanda Staveley is no stranger to high-profile football ownership. She and Ghodoussi sold their shares in Newcastle United and departed the club in July 2024, ending their involvement at St James' Park. During their time at Newcastle, Staveley played a prominent role in the club's operations following the Saudi-backed takeover.
Before turning her attention to West Ham, Staveley was also involved in a consortium that explored purchasing Tottenham Hotspur last season. That interest ultimately did not result in a deal, but it underscored her continued appetite for involvement in English football ownership following her Newcastle exit.
Her track record in football finance and her ability to marshal international investment make her consortium a potentially formidable player in any negotiation over West Ham's future. The fact that she has already secured global backing specifically for this deal suggests a serious intent rather than a tentative exploration.
Open to Majority Control at West Ham
While the consortium's initial target is the 25% stake held by Vanessa Gold, the group's ambitions may not stop there. Sources indicate that the consortium is open to purchasing additional shares, which could eventually position them as majority shareholders.
This openness to expanding beyond a minority position adds a layer of complexity to the negotiations. Any path to majority ownership would likely involve dealings with both Sullivan and Kretinsky, the club's current major shareholders, and could depend on their willingness to sell or dilute their holdings.
The prospect of a consortium with global investment backing seeking a controlling interest comes at a particularly sensitive time for West Ham, given the recent turmoil surrounding one of its key shareholders.
David Sullivan's Departure and Serious Allegations
David Sullivan stepped down from his position as joint chairman of West Ham in June, a move that followed a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and the Times newspaper into his behaviour. The investigation uncovered allegations from seven women spanning decades, starting in the 1980s.
The women, who were in their late teens or early twenties at the time, were young models seeking work at Sullivan's Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers. They have accused the 77-year-old billionaire of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, including pressuring them for sex during business meetings. Some of the women allege they were teenagers when the incidents occurred.