Czech billionaire ‘in talks’ to buy stake at West Ham

After the recent takeover of Newcastle United, Czech Billionaire Daniel Křetínský is looking to buy a minority stake in West Ham. Football is a lucrative business, and it seems more players want to get in the game.

When Roman Abramovich flew into England a few years and made a final berth in West London, he probably didn’t know he was about to change the face of English football as we knew it. The Russian billionaire arrived in England and bought Chelsea over from Ken Bates to start a chain reaction that resulted in what we have today.

When Abramovich took over Chelsea, Manchester United were the top dogs in the English Premiership. Such was their dominance that nobody could get a look in, not even Liverpool. England has witnessed several billionaire takeovers, with Manchester United and Arsenal struggling to remain relevant in the scheme of things.

West Ham is about to admit a new entrant into the comity of club owners, and according to several reports, talks are ongoing with Daniel Křetínský.

West Ham to sell 27% stake

David Gold and David Sullivan, co-owners at West Ham, have over the years been looking to get investment into the club but rejected offers from several quarters to hand over the keys to the manor.

The British owners have been negotiating for the past year. According to the reports making the rounds, they have been discussing with Křetínský to sell 27% shares.

The Athletic reports that the 27% stake is only a minority stake, with Gold and Sullivan still owning controlling shares.

Who is Daniel Křetínský?

Daniel Křetínský is not well known outside the Czech Republic, but the Czech billionaire known as the Czech Sphinx has many business interests.

The 46-year-old is a businessman and lawyer who owns 94% of Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH). The company is the largest energy group in Central Europe, and he is also the chief executive officer (CEO).

The Czech billionaire also has a stake in sports as he co-owns AC Sparta Prague with a reported 40% share.

He is also co-owner of Czech News Center and is the publisher of the most read newspaper in the Czech Republic, tabloid Blesk.

He also has a piece of several other business pies, which includes Sainsbury and Le Monde newspaper.

West Ham has become attractive under the tutelage of David Moyes, and they have begun the new campaign splendidly. The London club is currently in fourth place on the Premier League log and knocked out both Manchester United and Manchester City to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. They are also yet to lose any game in the Europa League where they top their group.