West Ham United owners have put a 10% stake in the club up for sale, testing whether Manchester United’s transfer saga has left a sour taste in the mouths of international investors.
Vanessa Gold, the daughter of the late businessman and former Hammers chair David Gold, is working with bankers to explore the sale of part of the Gold family’s 25% stake.
As the third largest shareholder in the club, behind Welsh businessman David Sullivan (35%) and Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky (27%), the Gold family is hoping to receive a premium on the £650 million valuation given to the club in 2021.
Since then, the East London side has added the Europa Conference League trophy to its cabinet and has been able to consistently sell out its 62,000-seater stadium.
Investment funds which focus on developing minority stakes in varying sports clubs are said to have expressed interest in purchasing part of the 10% stake, reports at Sky News revealed.
Speaking to Sky, Gold said: "I would consider selling a proportion of our shares to the right partner.
"I have spoken to each of the other three major shareholders at West Ham United: David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky and Tripp Smith, who have been very supportive.
"Any transaction to purchase some of our shares will be with my father's legacy at the forefront of my mind which, of course, prioritises his beloved West Ham United.”
Manchester United appears to have concluded its search for a purchaser, having spent months deciding between Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari buyers.
Ultimately the Glazer family decided to go with Ratcliffe, who is set to spend US$1.5 billion in developing a 25% stake, valuing the club at around US$6 billion.