Hammers reject Fernandes bid
Sullivan dismisses offer from AirAsia and Lotus F1 chief for minority stake in West Ham
WEST HAM’S owners last night emphatically rejected an offer to invest in the club from Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, calling it “very unhelpful”.
Fernandes, the man behind Air Asia and Formula One team Lotus and long-standing Hammers fan, submitted an offer for part-ownership of the east Londoners yesterday.
It is thought Fernandes bid for some or all of the 35 per cent that is still held by CB Holding, the company which assumed control of the club in 2009 when the previous Icelandic regime went bust.
But David Sullivan, who together with David Gold owns around 61 per cent of West Ham and has first option on CB Holding’s stake, swiftly dismissed the offer from Fernandes, which is thought to have fallen short of their valuation.
“We have received an email from Tony Fernandes regarding an offer for a share of the club which has immediately been rejected,” said Sullivan.
“We are not looking to sell the club but, as we have always said, we would love co-investors to join us in rebuilding West Ham, which has been our aim ever since we took charge back in January 2010. In the event that a serious investor came forward as was the case at Chelsea and Manchester City, we would naturally consider it for the good of the club – but this is certainly not the case in this instance.
“This kind of approach is very unhelpful when we have just made a big step forward as a club in our hope of returning to the Premier League, and it distracts from our main focus which is promotion.”
Sullivan and Gold were earlier this year thought to be looking for around £40m for the 35 per cent share held by CB Holding. The club has since been relegated to the Championship, which is likely to cost the club in the region of £50m a season.