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Sheffield United and West Ham takeover attractions and state of play explained amid 777 link
Sheffield United and West Ham United are said to be possible attractions for US firm 777 Partners. The company, which has a number of football clubs around the world in its sporting portfolio, are reported to be on the lookout for a Premier League club.
The Miami-based company were hoping to buy Everton up until last month, when another American party stole a march and leapfrogged them into pole position, landing preferred bidding status.
Despite the setback, it is being claimed that 777 still wants to add an English Premier League side to their stable of clubs, which also includes Genoa in Italy, Red Star in France, Hertha Berlin in Germany and Standard Liege in Belgium, among others.
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Sheffield United and West Ham are two clubs credited with attracting their attention next.
So what’s the state of play at both clubs, which one is the most attractive right now and what are the pros and cons?
At Bramall Lane, any takeover should be straightforward. The club owns all of its key assets, such as the Bramall Lane stadium, training ground and hotel as a result of the decision following Prince Abdullah’s full takeover from Kevin McCabe to purchase those back as part of the court order, which were then put in United’s name.
The Blades are also owned 100% by one man, meaning any takeover would be clean and easy. The ‘for sale’ sign is also up at S2, meaning the door is open for anyone to walk in and strike a deal.
It should, in theory, if those looking to buy the club has the money to do so, be a simple transaction.
Simple is not the word you would use to describe any attempt to acquire a full or majority stake in West Ham, however.
The Hammers are owned by four people, as well as a small percentage of investors, meaning a full takeover would be complicated. They also don’t own their ground, with a long-term lease on the London Stadium.
At this stage, you would say a deal to purchase Sheffield United would be far easier. However, there is more value in West Ham.
Not only are they preparing for a European final, but their capital base will be a big draw and they also recorded the second-highest average attendance of 62,460 in the Premier League last season – double United’s.
Only Manchester United could boast more than that.
The Hammers are also seen as the 15th most valuable club in Europe, according to Forbes, with a £1bn estimation. A far cry from United, where Prince Abdullah accepted an offer of £115m rising to £150m upon promotion from Dozy Mmobuosi, who failed to get his takeover done in time.
The West Ham team is worth more than that alone, although the playing value could drop if Declan Rice leaves this summer.
Football.London’s West Ham United correspondent Jonty Coleman explains the current set-up and why it’s not the easiest club to strike a takeover deal for.
“David Sullivan is the majority shareholder, he owns 38.8%,” he told Yorkshire Live. “Then Daniel Křetínský, a Czech businessman, owns 27% and the estate of David Gold owns 25.1%.
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“David Gold died in January and his two daughters inherited it, but one of his daughters died recently as well. Albert ‘Tripp’ Smith owns 8% and there is another 1.1% in other investors.
“It’s not quite as public as ‘it’s up for sale’, but the general understanding for this summer is that perhaps there will be a change of ownership or a change to the ownership structure at some point.
“It feels like Kretinsky may become majority or entire owner. There hasn’t been too much in terms of public statements and it’s not quite black and white. It’s quite a convoluted situation.
“Sheffield United’s picture is clear-cut, but at West Ham, it couldn’t be more opposite. To add to that, a lot of clubs own their stadium, whereas West Ham doesn’t. They have it on a long-term lease.
“Also, if they win the European final, they would be in Europe for a third straight season.”
So far, all but one of 777’s takeovers have been for majority stakes.
On the face of it, Sheffield United looks like the easier club and cheapest to purchase, but West Ham is certainly a bigger attraction and worth a lot more.
