West Ham United fans won’t be impressed with the latest claim surrounding PAI Capital’s reported second takeover bid…
What’s the word?
Over the weekend, The Sunday Times reported that the consortium would be preparing another offer for the east London outfit after they saw a £400m attempt rejected by majority shareholder David Sullivan.
A spokesman for the firm told them: “PAI Capital has assembled a top-tier team of respected executives … the group has carefully prepared and submitted a second innovative bid which it believes will be successful and crafts a new vision for the club, stadium and park …We hope to be able to share positive news very soon.”
However, Irons insider Sean Whetstone at Claret and Hugh has poured cold water on this suggestion in a series of tweets.
“Sorry but I guarantee that it will not! The board never considered the first approach as a formal bid & there is no chance that further bids will be accepted, absolutely none! No proof of funds have been provided in the formal legal sense & they have not had full access to books,” he said.
He then added: “Does TC release statements through Central now? I had no idea he had become his spokesman. Internet rumours that a second bid has been verbally agreed are nonsense. Too many people are being misled with misinformation. Time will soon tell but you could be waiting a while!”
Fans won’t be happy
This latest development will certainly leave many around the London Stadium absolutely reeling.
There are mixed emotions about the potential takeover of the Hammers, particularly as ex-players like Rio Ferdinand are involved, and that leaves a sour taste in the mouth of some.
However, the vast majority of supporters have been longing to see GSB out the door.
During back end of the 2019/20 season when West Ham were staring down the barrel of relegation to the Championship, the Irons faithful protested against the board.
In one game against Liverpool at Anfield, fans unfurled banners that were very much anti-GSB – One read: “Run like a circus – Owned by clowns”, whilst another read: “GSB out – Sold a dream, delivered a nightmare.”
Later that summer, after David Moyes pulled off a miracle with one game to spare, the fans were furious with the club’s hierarchy once more. This time, the exit of Grady Diangana on a permanent basis caused another protest.
And it doesn’t stop there as fan group Hammers United are planning another display against GSB ahead of their clash with Manchester United later this month.
It’s clear that people want GSB gone from the club and this interest from PAI Capital poses a very good chance of that happening, so this claim from an inside source is unlikely to go down well.
He suggests that there will be no second bid and that it is all “nonsense”, so that’ll seriously dent the hopes of those that are in the aforementioned camp.
Now with the transfer window over, this saga could well rumble on for the foreseeable future.
AND in other news, Moyes must mercilessly axe West Ham’s forgotten £70k-p/w dud, he’s stealing a living…