‘Sounded out’ Times makes huge claim about possibility of Sheikh Jassim buying entire Gold family West Ham shares

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The Times has made a huge claim about the possibility of Sheikh Jassim buying the Gold family West Ham shares.

Two of the newspaper’s top journalists have made a sensational claim about West Ham overnight.

There have been question marks over what would happen to the Gold family shares in West Ham since the tragic passing of former Hammers co-owner David Gold and his daughter Jacqueline.

But yesterday, Vanessa Gold – daughter to David and sister to Jacqueline – announced she is considering putting a proportion of their West Ham shares up for sale.

David Sullivan is West Ham’s majority stakeholder followed by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.

‘Sounded out’ Times makes huge claim about possibility of Sheikh Jassim buying entire Gold family West Ham shares

Given the extensive rumours of potential takeovers at West Ham – involving both Kretinsky and Sheikh Jassim following the withdrawal of his bid for Man United – the potential availability of shares raises obvious questions.

Hammers News spoke to the top source inside West Ham about the development and whether Sullivan or Kretinsky were interested in the Gold family shares, being reported as a 10 per cent stake.

We were told the duo were ‘undecided’. Perhaps now we know why.

Because The Times has made a huge claim about the possibility of Sheikh Jassim buying the entire Gold family’s West Ham shares.

‘Gold shares have drawn international interest’

Journalists Martyn Ziegler and Tom Roddy claim the shares in West Ham have ‘drawn international interest’.

And their report states that West Ham insiders have told them they believe ‘the opportunity may attract an offer from Qatar after Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani’s failed bid to buy Manchester United‘.

Not only that but The Times claims Ms Gold may actually be willing to sell the entire 25 per cent shareholding in the Hammers and that ‘other investors have been sounded out’.

“Club insiders believe the opportunity may attract an offer from Qatar after Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani’s failed bid to buy Manchester United,” The Times reports.

‘Kretinsky not expected to increase stake’

“Ms Gold’s family has a 25 per cent shareholding in West Ham and she is working with the Rothschild bank to sell part of that stake. It is understood that if the price was right, Ms Gold may be willing to sell the entire shareholding…

“West Ham’s move comes as Sir Jim Ratcliffe closes in on completing his £1.3 billion investment for 25 per cent of Manchester United, and 18 months after the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium bought Chelsea for £2.5 billion.

“Sheikh Jassim bid £5 billion for 100 per cent of Manchester United when the Glazers had been holding out for nearer £6 billion.”

The report also adds that Kretinsky is not expected to be interested in buying the shares.

Two weeks ago Hammers News spoke to football finance expert Kieran Maguire about the possibility of Sheikh Jassim turning to West Ham after his failed bid for Man United.

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