The nine billionaires who could buy West Ham as agent maps out takeover timeline

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Nine separate billionaires could each be tempted into a bid to take over West Ham and fill the void seemingly left by Daniel Kretinsky.

Kretinsky has the option to take a controlling stake in the Hammers as part of the deal he struck with the GSB regime in November 2021.

But the Czech billionaire now says he has no plans to take full control, although he did leave the door open to increase his shares while remaining a minority investor.

Meanwhile, club CEO Karren Brady has been on two separate trips to the Middle East in a bit to find groups or individuals who could give West Ham extra investment.

However, the solution to the issue could in fact be much closer to home.

Everton takeover suitors could be tempted into

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is now courting new takeover bids following the collapse of 777 Partners’ attempt to buy the club.

He has received pitches from nine groups in total so far.

The frontrunners appear to be MSP Sports Capital, a group fronted by Evertonian investors Andy Bell and George Downing, and another group led by lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Vatche Manoukian.

But there will be only one winner, and that will leave a lot of investors hoping to break into the Premier League market disappointed.

However, there is a takeover opportunity at West Ham.

Everton and West Ham are similar profiles of clubs.

Both are historic and have enormous fanbases. Both play, or in Everton’s case will soon play in, large and modern stadiums. Both are big enough names to attract quality players.

The main difference is their debt. West Ham have debts of around £56m, although the vast majority of this is in a revolving credit facility – essentially an arranged overdraft.

Everton’s debts are far higher thanks to their stadium build and current cash flow issues, which has in turn reduced the asking price Moshiri can hope to recoup.

However, while an investor might pay a bigger headline sum for West Ham probably between £600m and £700m, the financial commitment at both clubs would be very similar.

West Ham also have the bonus of being based in London, which is attractive to investors due to commercial and tourism opportunities.

• READ MORE FOOTBALL FINANCE ANALYSIS: Daniel Kretinsky could help West Ham buy London stadium, talks next week key

Agent suggests takeover timeline

According to respected agent and consultant Jon Smith talking to Caught Offside, West Ham supporters should expect to see their club change hands in the next 36 months.

In theory, Kretinsky could complete a takeover overnight.

However, events in his business empire appear to show that the 48-year-old’s focus is firmly elsewhere.

The Sparta Prague owner is involved in a controversial bid to buy Royal Mail owner IDS for £3.5bn and has recently failed to acquire control of French IT firm Atos for £600m.