Adama Staveley has not ruled out the idea of investing in West Ham United. And if she does, the financier who spearheaded the Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle may be reunited with a certain Steve Nickson.
From David Sullivan and Karren Brady to Daniel Kretinsky, Steve Nickson and Amanda Staveley. That, in Hammers News’ own humble opinion, sounds like progress.
Having already transformed the fortunes of Newcastle – perennial underachievers under Mike Ashley but Champions League challengers and Wembley winners under Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman – Staveley has her sights fixed on another sleeping giant.
What would you say if Amanda Staveley BOUGHT West Ham?
Staveley and Kretinsky could be quite the team… 📝 💰
Daniel Kretinsky has already injected £90 million into West Ham United’s coffers while increasing his stake to 43 per cent, exceeding David Sullivan’s share in the process. Kretinsky could yet make the appointment of Nickson one of his first major moves in the post-Sullivan era.
Nickson, interestingly, operated as head of recruitment both under Ashley and Staveley at St James’ Park.
And back in 2022, Staveley was glowing in her praise for a man who, having operated on a shoestring budget for so long, suddenly found money pouring out of his ears like Middle Eastern oil out of a well.
Amanda Staveley is a big fan of Newcastle’s sporting director target Steve Nickson
One suspects Staveley, initially from afar, would give the appointment of Nickson at the London Stadium her full backing.
“Fortunately, we have an amazing head of recruitment in Steve Nickson,” Staveley told The Chronicle at the time. “[Nickson] has been with the club for a long time and has a really deep knowledge of the player markets.
“So we were able to quickly put together a transfer committee.”
Despite reports of an approach from ambitious Championship rivals Wrexham, Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth tellsthe Transfer Talk podcast that Nickson remains well-placed to join West Ham in a sporting director capacity.
Nickson helped bring Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to St James’. Of course, he will be working on a much smaller budget at West Ham, but Nickson’s eye for potential is well-documented.
The 61-year-old looked at bringing the likes of Moises Caicedo, Desire Doue, Joao Pedro and Rayan Cherki to Newcastle long before they became household names. Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was the subject of numerous bids during his days at Reims.
While Staveley could not speak highly enough of a man who played a major part in a rapid-fire overhaul early in the Eddie Howe and PIF era, Nickson is clearly an extremely well-respected figure in the eyes of the fans, too.
Staveley is looking for a club like West Ham to rejuvenate
What do you think will be the biggest DIFFERENCE in the Kretinsky era? 🤔
Max Hahn's comments speak volumes…
Staveley, who sold her shares at Newcastle back in 2024, was asked about potentially investing in West Ham in an interview with Spear’s.
“Maybe,” she said. “[Me and my husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi] really want to be buying or going in and investing in a club again. Very soon, hopefully.
“Both my husband and I, we’re attracted to building a business where we can take a brand that isn’t doing so well; a club that isn’t performing well and get it on the right road and bring that [club] forward.
“And there are very few clubs that tick that box. There’s actually very few clubs that allow that.”
Well, there is certainly one we can think of.
It is understood that Staveley has a personal war chest of £500m to invest in a new club after selling her shares in Newcastle. She is heading a US-backed consortium with billions behind them, while it has been suggested that a new adventure in London is the preference.
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