The pieces could be falling into place for a partial takeover at West Ham.
The last change in the ownership structure came when Daniel Kretinsky purchased a 27 per cent stake in the club in 2021.
He has the option to take a controlling stake at a set price as part of his agreement with the GSB regime but has so far declined to do so.
The Hammers are now believed to be looking for alternative investment and the latest developments suggest that there could be some movement in that department.
Karren Brady in Middle East looking for minority investor
According to Claret and Hugh writer Sean Whetstone, West Ham vice chairman Karren Brady was in the Middle East earlier his year looking for a potential investor in the club.
It is claimed that Brady has been offered a seven-figure incentive as part of the hunt, although the plan to get a new investor in this summer has so far failed to get off the ground.
At least 10 per cent of the club’s shares are available for purchase, which accounts for just less than half of the shares inherited by David Gold’s daughter Vanessa.
Kretinsky could, in theory, activate his option to take all the shares overnight but has signalled that he does not want to take a majority stake at this stage.
But the latest developments from the Czech billionaire’s business empire could perhaps tempt him to revaluate his stance.
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Daniel Kretinsky’s £600m deal collapse to reignite West Ham takeover?
Kretinsky was, until recently, involved in two high-profile business acquisitions.
But while his takeover of the Royal Mail is still proceeding, his deal to buy imperilled French IT firm Atos has unexpectedly hit the buffers.
As reported by the Financial Times and others, Atos have opted for a debt restructuring plan with Onepoint over Kretinsky’s £600m bid.
Coincidentally, and perhaps significantly, the 48-year-old’s original share purchase in West Ham also valued the club at somewhere in the region of £600m.
Kretinsky has said he could up his stake but remain a minority shareholder in the Irons,which would theoretically mean a deal for up to £154m is possible to take him to 49 per cent.
And with his funds and attention seemingly no longer wrapped up in the Atos deal, it could potentially pave the way to reigniting his interest in West Ham.