Staveley in talks to buy 25% stake in West Ham

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that a consortium headed by Amanda Staveley, the former Newcastle United co-owner, has been in discussions over buying a 25% shareholding in West Ham United. The talks centre on the stake held by Vanessa Gold, with Staveley’s husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, also involved in the group. The report says interest has strengthened in recent weeks and that Staveley is understood to have lined up international backing for a possible purchase.

According to the BBC, the consortium first explored a potential West Ham investment near the end of last season, when the club were relegated from the Premier League. The group is also said to be willing to acquire additional shares if that route became available, potentially giving it control. David Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky are identified in the report as the club’s current leading shareholders.

Staveley is a significant figure in recent English football ownership. She helped broker the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of Newcastle United in 2021, later leaving the club with Ghodoussi after selling their shares in July 2024. BBC Sport also notes that she was involved in a consortium that considered a Tottenham Hotspur purchase last season.

The possible investment comes during a sensitive period for West Ham’s ownership. BBC Sport says Sullivan stepped down as joint chairman in June after a BBC Panorama and Times investigation reported allegations from multiple women about sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour dating back decades. Sullivan has categorically denied the claims, and the Independent Football Regulator has sought urgent information from him regarding suitability.