Czech billionaire wants to buy part of West Ham

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, owner of Sparta Prague, is negotiating the purchase of 27% of West Ham United, according to English media outlets. 

The purchase, which would be completed in a matter of days, could be an approach from Kretinsky to own part of the club before taking a majority share later on. As well as being the Sparta Prague owner, Kretinsky has important investments in British companies like Royal Mail, where he is the largest shareholder and supermarket Sainsbury's, where he is the second largest shareholder.

The Czech's offer could see West Ham's value increase to between 600 and 700 million pounds after Newcastle United were sold to a Saudi fund for 300 million pounds just a few weeks back. 

This deal would end 11 years of ownership under David Gold and David Sullivan. They took over at 2010. In recent years, there have been protests against West Ham, especially in the 2017-18 season when a supporter had to be taken off the pitch by captain Mark Noble. That was when the team were in the relegation zone. 

Another of the big decisions the club has taken in recent years is to move to the Olympic Stadium from Upton Park.