There is new Qatari takeover hope for West Ham after a Tottenham Hotspur denial as April edges ever closer.
There has been much speculation over a potential West Ham takeover being on the cards in the coming months.
And yesterday reports abound that bitter rivals Tottenham might be in line for one too.
The takeover talk at West Ham centres around the expiration of an embarrassment clause in the club’s deal with the LLDC as anchor tenants of the former Olympic Stadium, which the club famously fought Spurs over.
The clause means West Ham must pay a windfall tax to the LLDC should they be taken over before April 2023.
Speculation has mounted for years that West Ham majority stakeholder David Sullivan will sell up beyond that point.
And West Ham appear ripe for a takeover given the circumstances with the expiration of the clause, the sad passing of co-owner David Gold and talk that the Hammers’ second biggest stakeholder Daniel Kretinsky is not interested in full ownership.
Yesterday we reported on the fact PSG’s Qatari owners had allegedly held talks with Spurs over an initial minority investment with a view to a Tottenham takeover.
That came as a real blow to West Ham who have long been rumoured to be a target of Qatari wealth.
There was confirmation that the mega rich Qataris had been buying up land and buildings around the Olympic Stadium, leading to suggestions West Ham were being primed for a future takeover.
Back in 2016, The Daily Mail claimed that West Ham were the most likely to be taken over by the Qatar Investment Authority – who already owned the Olympic village. The same report said Spurs were also on the radar for Qatar ownership.
Hassan Al-Thawadi, leader of Qatar’s 2022 organising committee, said: “I can see it happening down the road. It’s likely. There’s such a passion for football and the Premier League in particular. Everyone on the street has an opinion.”
Now there is new Qatari takeover hope for West Ham after a Tottenham Hotspur denial as April edges ever closer.
Because Sky Sports claim Tottenham have denied a meeting took place between PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Daniel Levy regarding a takeover or minority investment.
The report also states that the PSG owners are seriously keen on investment into a Premier League club.
And given the QIA already owns the Olympic village and surrounding properties and land, West Ham must be in the mix.
Especially considering the potential sale of the club once that embarrassment clause expires in just three months.
What has been made clear this season is that West Ham simply cannot compete regularly with the elite without consistently high investment.
After spending almost a quarter of a billion pounds in two summer windows, David Moyes’ side are struggling and look set for a season-long battle to avoid relegation.
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