West Ham takeover clue emerges after official £800m Karren Brady claim

A West Ham takeover clue has emerged amid the latest football finance news from Europe this week.

The Hammers are searching the market for new investment, with Vanessa Gold, daughter of the late David Gold, open to selling a large chunk of her stake.

It does not appear that Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky will up his stake from 27 per cent any time soon, even though he has the option to do so at a set price.

Karren Brady was recently dispatched to the Middle East to court new investors, although that trip is not believed to have yielded any meaningful results.

Now, the latest developments in France could be another setback in the East London club’s project.

French finance news could impact West Ham takeover hopes

Until recently, Ligue 1 had failed to secure a domestic TV deal for its upcoming five-year rights cycle.

With just weeks to go until the start of the new season, this was an existential threat to clubs in France’s top tier, with many owners considering leaving.

But, as reported by SportsPro Media, Ligue 1 have struck a £420m agreement with DAZN and BeIN Sports.

That figure is less than half of what the league was originally looking for but will still come as a huge relief for club owners.

However, with a potential mass exodus of owners of French football clubs averted, it will reduce the already small pool of investors capable of a West Ham takeover.

• READ MORE WEST HAM FINANCE NEWS: West Ham have £60m off-pitch plan to blow Newcastle out of the water

TBR Analysis: When will West Ham takeover be complete? How much will it cost?

Writing on her official website in 2020, club vice-chair Brady said the club is valued at £800m.

That figure will likely have risen somewhat in recent years, perhaps by another £50-100m.

That projection is in line with private equity investor and football finance expert Gregg Bettinelli’s valuation of West Ham of over £795m.

Will it be a full takeover? That remains to be seen, but the fact David Sullivan allowed Kretinsky to negotiate an option for a full takeover suggests that GSB are fashioning an exit plan.

However, takeovers can take years to engineer. And even when a buyer is found, there can be complications which further protract the process. Just ask Everton.

The new independent regulator for English football, which is vehemently opposed by Brady, could also complexify matters.

The government-backed body will likely introduce a new owners and directors test and the fear among Premier League directors is that it could scare off foreign investment.