Stefan Borson, a football finance expert, believes Amanda Staveley will switch her focus to Everton following her failed effort to buy a stake in West Ham.

Following the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship, the former Newcastle United minority owner was linked with a prospective attempt to buy an interest in the club in the summer.

According to reports, the 53-year-old’s offer to buy the Gold family’s 25.1% interest was accepted for £150 million.

However, current stakeholder Daniel Kretinsky used his pre-emption rights to derail the transaction, and the Czech billionaire is now likely to assume ownership of this shareholding instead.

It remains to be unclear what Staveley’s next move will be, with David Sullivan remaining a shareholder in the London firm.

However, Kretinsky is now expected to become the club’s majority owner after reaching an arrangement with Vanessa Gold that values the Irons at over £600 million.

Amanda Staveley predicted Everton interest

Borson believes Staveley is likely to turn her focus to Everton after raising approximately £150 million as part of her effort to buy a stake in West Ham this summer.

According to him, the Toffees are a more appealing option than West Ham in the Championship. It would make sense for the 53-year-old to consider ownership of the club, given she is unlikely to focus solely on West Ham.”Amanda Staveley and her consortium could [be involved with Everton],” Borson told Football Insider.

“And that’s really only on the basis that if they had, let’s say, £150m raised to do the West Ham minority.”They’re likely to be able to secure a place at Everton’s table for a comparable fee.

“Everton tick a lot of the boxes that West Ham did and didn’t tick.”You have to agree that Everton is currently a lot better financial opportunity for Amanda Staveley than West Ham.

It’s easy to suggest that the opportunity around West Ham is in the stadium, but getting there comes at a high cost.

“And there’s huge upside in Everton Stadium as well, and the real estate around there.”So, if she is serious, she should be looking at it.

“It can’t just be a case of only wanting West Ham.”

Kretinsky first joined the West Ham ownership in November 2021, obtaining a 27 percent share in the club.

And he has now expanded his level of control on the Hammers to almost exactly 50 per cent, making him the majority owner.

West Ham’s start to the season
West Ham have made a great start to the Championship campaign, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team sitting top of the table after seven games played.

The Hammers have won their last four in a row, collecting triumphs over Wrexham, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County and Wolves.

West Ham’s last five league results:

Opponent (Home or Away)

Result

Wrexham (H)

6-0 win

Botlon Wanderers (A)

3-2 win

Derbyshire County (H)

3-0 win

Wolves (H)

4-2 win

Watford (A

1-1

The London outfit have claimed a total of 14 points from a possible 21, winning four, drawing two and losing one.

Next up for West Ham is an EFL Cup third round meeting against Fulham at home on Tuesday evening with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Daniel Kretinsky has potentially seen off Amanda Staveley’s pressure for now.

Staveley’s most immediate route into West Ham ownership was to purchase the Gold family’s stake.

However, Kretinsky has used his pre-emption rights to discourage her interest in the club, and it is difficult to envision her being involved in the near future.

The Czech businessman is evidently highly dedicated to the Hammers, and won’t sell his interest for anything less than a hefty offer, and it remains to be seen what will happen with the shares owned by Sullivan.

So it could make sense for Staveley to switch her attention to Everton, but she won’t be able to buy as much of the club for £150 million, which could put her off.