West Ham takeover speculation is bound to reignite after a Qatari businessman from a company worth over £4bn was a guest for the 3-1 win over Sunderland.
The Hammers made it three wins in a row with a deserved victory over Sunderland at the London Stadium on Saturday.
West Ham progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over QPR before beating Spurs in the last minute by the same scoreline in the Premier League a week later.
Now victory over Sunderland has fully revived West Ham’s bid to stay in the top flight.
The Hammers closed the gap on safety to just two points with 15 games to go with all eyes on Nottingham Forest’s trip to Brentford and Leeds heading to Everton.
West Ham takeover talk bound to reignite over mega-rich guest
West Ham put in arguably their best half of football for over two years as they strode in 3-0 up at the break.
The atmosphere at the London Stadium reflected the performance and belief is growing West Ham can pull off another Great Escape.
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This is rarefied air at West Ham right now as a wave of positivity replaces the doom and gloom.
And the good news keeps coming, it seems.
Because a Qatari businessman from a company worth over £4bn was a West Ham guest for the win over Sunderland.
West Ham chief David Sullivan, vice-chair Karren Brady and the current board are still under huge pressure to leave the club.
West Ham’s Fan Advisory Board sent shockwaves through the boardroom when they issued a public vote of no confidence in the ownership at the start of the season.
Fans have since protested on an almost weekly basis in a show of force with the ultimate aim of Sullivan selling the club.
There was another protest for the Sunderland game with fan group Hammers United asking supporters to leave their seats empty for the first 15 minutes – and thousands doing just that.
Qatari businessman Ali Hussain Alfardan attends West Ham win
One man who was in his seat to watch the game in the director’s box was Ali Hussain Alfardan.
A mauve, Swiss registered Rolls Royce Phantom was spotted in the director’s car park at the London Stadium.
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That car is registered to Ali Hussain Alfardan, the vice-chair of the Alfardan Corporation and president of the Alfardan Jewellery arm of its many business interests.
From its beginnings in the pearling industry, the Alfardan Corporation – which has a net worth exceeding £4bn – has evolved into one of the Middle East’s premier business conglomerates.
According to the corporation’s website, the establishment of Alfardan Jewellery in 1954 marked the launch of a strategic expansion into diverse industries.
“Over the years, under the visionary leadership of Hussain Ibrahim Alfardan and with the support of his sons Ali, Fahad, and Omar Hussain Alfardan, the company successfully ventured into sectors such as exchange, investment, property, automotive, hospitality, marine services, agriculture, and healthcare—shaping a legacy of excellence and innovation across the region,” the website states.
Given West Ham’s persistent links with a Middle Eastern or US takeover in recent years, the attendance of Ali Hussain Alfardan at the London Stadium could be significant.
While West Ham have breathed new hope into their bid to stay up, it seems that the only viable long-term solution to the current ‘civil war’ between fans and owners is a takeover.
In an official statement back in 2020, Sullivan confirmed he rejected a £650m bid from Red Bull for West Ham.
Corporation worth £4bn to finally make good on West Ham takeover talk?
Earlier this season it was claimed PSG’s Qatari owners saw an offer for West Ham snubbed in 2023.
Rumours of Middle East and US interest have been widespread, especially since Vanessa Gold put the Gold family’s 25 per cent stake up for sale in October 2023.
There was talk of potential interest in West Ham from US bidders at the end of last season.
More recently a potential foreign investor was given a tour of West Ham’s facilities, including the Rush Green training ground.
Amid the protests from fans, Harry Redknapp made a seriously exciting West Ham takeover claim after potential investors were given tours.
Could the Alfardan Corporation finally be about to make good on the persistent Middle East West Ham takeover claims?
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