Source: Telegraph
West Ham United ownership saga set to be concluded next week
David Sullivan, the former Birmingham City co-owner, has been pushing hard to secure a deal, having made an offer before Christmas, but he is not the only candidate being considered. [LNB]West Ham's owners, CB Holdings, insist they are under no pressure to sell but have engaged Rothschild Bank to sift through potential investors who either want to buy the club out-right or take a stake. [LNB] Related ArticlesTony Fernandes circling West HamPremier League: transfer window guideWest Ham linked with Adrian MutuTottenham 2 West Ham 0Zola wants Ancelotti-Mancini aidSport on televisionThe most exciting prospect for West Ham supporters may be a bid from Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, although he has insisted that he has not made an offer. [LNB]Fernandes, the founder and chief executive of Air Asia, is a committed, lifelong West Ham supporter and attended the Boxing Day match against Portsmouth after which he met manager Gianfranco Zola, his assistant Steve Clarke and technical director Gianluca Nani. Fernandes is understood to get on well with Zola and fully supports the Italian. [LNB]Telegraph Sport revealed that he was close to agreeing a deal some time ago with West Ham chairman Andrew Bernhardt but, since then, his interest has cooled. [LNB]However, given his strong business background and record for innovation and imaginative ideas, Fernandes would represent an exciting potential backer for West Ham should he change his mind. [LNB]Fernandes has gained the support of many West Ham fans who are desperate for the club to gain greater stability after a period of financial uncertainty following the collapse of the business empire of former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. [LNB]Fernandes is, therefore, expected to attend the forthcoming Premier League match at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. West Ham will field a weakened side in the FA Cup on Sunday with the likes of Robert Green rested in preparation for the Wolves game, by which time they expect Scott Parker to recover from injury and Carlton Cole to be fit enough to take a place on the bench. [LNB]A swift resolution to West Ham's ownership with some potential investment will also help the club in the transfer window. At present Zola has to sell in order to buy and although the owners have pledged to reinvest all the proceeds, it will be a tricky balancing act with Matthew Upson the most likely to leave although no bids have been received. [LNB]A change of ownership, or strategic investment, may make up his mind to stay. [LNB]
