Amanda Staveley’s consortium is reportedly nearing an agreement to acquire a 25 percent stake in West Ham United, potentially paving the way for a full takeover of the Premier League club. The group, led by Staveley, her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, and their investment firm PCP Capital Partners, is understood to be in an advanced position to purchase the shares currently held by Vanessa Gold, daughter of the late David Gold.
If the consortium's bid is successful, it could proceed to seek control of the majority ownership by acquiring shares from David Sullivan, who holds a 38.8 percent stake in the club. The possible deal comes amid a period of instability for West Ham, who were relegated from the Premier League last month.
Staveley’s consortium, which includes investors mainly from the United States and the Far East, had previously considered a bid for Tottenham Hotspur but has shifted focus to West Ham. The group aims not only to restore the club to top-flight football but also to invest significantly in player recruitment and infrastructure, including a potential purchase and redevelopment of the London Stadium. Discussions have already reportedly taken place with representatives connected to the office of the Mayor of London regarding the stadium’s future.
The proposed transaction faces a "pre-emption process," allowing existing shareholders, such as Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky, to match the offer for Gold’s shares. Kretinsky, who owns a 27 percent stake and has interests in companies like Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s, has publicly committed to backing West Ham’s financial efforts to regain Premier League status following their recent relegation.
The club’s governance has recently been under scrutiny following the resignation of co-chairman David Sullivan in June, amid allegations of sexual abuse revealed by investigative reports. Sullivan, a British businessman aged 77, has denied the claims, describing them as “factually incorrect and entirely false.” The allegations are connected to Sullivan’s previous business dealings in the adult industry during the 1980s. Since 2023, Sullivan has faced a safeguarding ban restricting contact with members of West Ham’s academy and women’s teams, imposed after at least one complaint to the Football Association (FA); he accepted the restrictions purportedly to maintain a “quiet life.”
Sullivan’s shareholding is also under review by an Independent Football Regulator in light of the allegations. Prior to these developments, the club had already experienced upheaval, with Baroness Karren Brady stepping down as vice-chair after 16 years in April.
Despite off-field challenges and relegation, West Ham have retained key personnel, including captain Jarrod Bowen and head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. Bowen reportedly decided to remain with the club after discussions with Kretinsky and board member Jiri Svarc.
Staveley is well-known for her role in the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund’s takeover of Newcastle United in 2021, where she and Ghodoussi initially secured a combined 10 percent stake and directorships before agreeing to sell their remaining shares and depart in mid-2024.