13/01/2010

The Takeover - what do the journos know?

We are now right in the middle of the bidding war that Rothshilds were hired by Straumur to make happen. And (I hope) there is more than a good chance that a deal will go through as "deadlines" are extended and the haggling seem to have reached a fairly detailed level. Still there are widely different guesses about the outcome!
Either the parties have pulled strings yesterday to make sure that their respective "contacts" have published pieces saying they are in the lead, or the situation is too hard to call.
Or both.

Jason Burt of the Telegraph, has held Fernandes as the favourite ever since Fernandes appeared on this scene. He has throughout this dire process touted any non G&S bidder as the best option. I can honestly see that as a valid standpoint but Jason is also known as the Duxbury Bugeler ("West Ham have, certainly, been indebted to some shrewd husbandry from chief executive Scott Duxbury who, throughout all of this, has stuck as much as he could to a business plan") and If Duckers is worried for his existence at West Ham he certainly wouldn't want G&S to install Karen Brady would he? So even though Burt is close to the pot this also means that his info/judgement may not be without bias.

Simon Cass of the MailOnline considers Intermarket to be in pole position despite the unfortunate death of front figure and head negotiator Jim Bowe. I confess to not knowing anything about any connection to Intermarket and considering Simons previous writings he seem to have better contacts at Arsenal and Chelsea. Actually, the piece is so short that one is led to believe that he has no knowledge to share with us - just had "write something on the West Ham takeover!" shouted at him by his editor.

James Nursey of the Mirror has yet to put anyone else forward than Gold&Sullivan. He has said that G&S are about to take control previously, but who hasn't? He has not been totally pro the Davids and recently wrote a short piece on Yeung saying Birmingham had been run like a bootcamp. Still, the Mirror has not yet published an article where they see anyone else in the driver seat. Even though they seem not to have any inside info they could be right you know.

I have previously posted my thoughts on these parties HERE, so I'll spare you my comments for now.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

All three please...

i mean imagine a £110m joint take over by 3 groups all west ham as their 1st priority. that would be the best option.

Davids - football background
Tony Fernandes - Sponsorship
Intermarket - Marketing

each potential buyer would have an equal share canceling out the icelandic ownership completely, all debts divided and transfer kitty divided when needed. they all have pros and cons, but cons would not exist if each owner specialised in the area they are best at. come on straumuar get it right for once!

Anonymous said...

Anyone but the porn brothers - lest we forget that THEY were the ones who SOLD Upson to us when BCFC were chasing promotion. A decision that SO incensed Steve Bruce that he quit the club at the first opportunity.
They are all talk and only interested in the club as a means to make money......

Anonymous said...

they sold upson to a better club at the end of the day, and who better to sell it to than a team they support!

at birmingham is was a business. at west ham it'll be a dream to succeed as a fan

Joppe - said...

All 3? What I'd give to see one of those board meetings!

Anonymous said...

Intermarket for me, as they are a group of wealthy hammers fans, seem to be offering the full price and are prepared to commit for at least 10yrs, so no smash n grab raid.

Also, in French, 'Intermarket' translates as 'Intermarche', which is my favorite supermarket!

Joppe - said...

If Intermarche does get the Club let's hope they really turn out both wealthy and fans.

Unknown said...

I see WH found guilty on 2 counts for the Millwall Mess.

We'll know on Friday the cost. This will come off the dosh that is paid to get WHFC.

Hope its just money and not points off.

Fingers crossed yet again.

Joppe - said...

I was trying to stick my head in the sand there Allan :)

Unknown said...

The FA cant give us a point deduction - we weren't competing in the league, it was the cup!

Unknown said...

Mark I kown it was the cup but there was little logic in the way WH lost out on the Tevez mess, many said SU could not win but they did and we lost £30m.

I hope your right but still cross fingers.

Joppe - said...

Still trying to stay away from WH related fines...

Have you guys seen the outrageous Cagliari rumour?

http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/01/13/1743216/cagliari-president-massimo-cellino-in-london-to-buy-west-ham

Prince H said...

Italian owner? Well, that would to see things go all the way. As the Italian league looses attraction and less people go to the games in Italy, this wold be one way - at least they may think so - to solve the investers dilemmas. As they still see a future in PL. And having Zola as their Hero (as well) this may be a short time solution (shirts!) as well!
Well, I do not believe in the article.. but who knows anything, in this matter?

westhamb/pool said...

so what about the 4th bidder

TBI said...

I cant keep up! But while all this goes on we still haven't bought any new players in!

SORT IT OUT WEST HAM! Before we miss the window!

Joppe - said...

TBI: who can?
At least half the window is gone and none of our most valable players have left...
To be able to sleep well tonight I think I'll go with "half full".
But don't worry, the grump will be back!