Staveley & Ghodoussi eye stunning West Ham takeover after Newcastle exit

Former Newcastle United co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi are exploring a takeover of West Ham United, per the Daily Mail.

The couple, through their investment vehicle PCP Capital Partners, have opened exploratory discussions over a possible deal involving the Hammers following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

Staveley and Ghodoussi have been assessing opportunities across English football since leaving Newcastle, with Tottenham Hotspur also among the clubs to have featured in preliminary conversations.

However, West Ham have now emerged as a serious option as they look to identify a project with long-term growth potential.

Staveley hinted earlier this week at the type of challenge she is seeking, explaining that she and her husband are motivated by the prospect of revitalising underperforming clubs with untapped potential.

They played a central role in orchestrating Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian-backed takeover in 2021, bringing together the Public Investment Fund and the Reuben brothers to complete the acquisition.

Their arrival transformed the club’s fortunes, helping lay the foundations for Champions League qualification within two seasons before Newcastle ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by lifting the League Cup.

The Reuben brothers are not involved in the discussions surrounding West Ham.

The Championship club’s ownership remains split between majority shareholder David Sullivan, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and the Gold Family Trust.

Sullivan recently stepped down as joint-chairman and director ahead of allegations concerning his personal life being published.

While no agreement is close, Staveley and Ghodoussi’s interest represents another significant development in what could become one of English football’s most closely watched ownership stories this summer.

West Ham desperately need fresh inspiration and direction from the hierarchy following two poor seasons that ultimately culminated in relegation to the Championship.