Race hots up to buy West Ham with two locked in £100m takeover race

15 January 2010 00:13
The protracted battle for control of West Ham was nearing conclusion on Thursday night with Cagliari president Massimo Cellino and the InterMarket consortium understood to be locked in a two-horse race to buy the cash-strapped club.[LNB]Cellino, who is being assisted by prominent sports lawyer Chris Farnell, held further talks with West Ham's corporate brokers Rothschilds.[LNB]The Italian, who is using his own money to fund the bid, is understood to be ready to pay around £63million to gain control at Upton Park and is also ready to clear West Ham's debt, estimated to be about £40m.[LNB] Zola: could be reunited with Massimo Cellino[LNB]However, InterMarket, a consortium made up of wealthy West Ham fans,claim they are the preferred bidder and are also ready to hand over inthe region of £100m, although Rrothschilds are understood to be stillwaiting for proof of funds.[LNB]  If there was no racism then who called West Ham striker Carlton Cole a monkey? West Ham guilty over Carling Cup riots but FA hand Millwall a reprieveWEST HAM FC

Source: Daily_Mail