Yesterday, Football Benchmark published their valuation of top European football sides, ranking [West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/hammers-opportunity-to-tempt-21-year-old-needing-career-reboot/) 16th with a valuation of £1 billion, up 9% on the previous year when the Hammers entered the report for the first time.
However, a senior club source speaking exclusively to Claret and Hugh last night poured cold water on such a high valuation by saying, _“David Gold’s family are struggling to sell their shares”_
Previously, the same club source has stated that a football club is only worth as much as someone is prepared to pay, and there are questions over demand despite regular takeover stories.
It was October 2023 when Vanessa Gold first made a public statement suggesting her family was prepared to sell a proportion of their shares in West Ham to the right partner, and she employed Rothschild & Co to advise her.
The shares have been offered around the globe despite her father’s estate being in probate until recently, with little serious interest internationally.
West Ham Vice Chairman Karren Brady flew out to the middle east last year to speak to potential investors but returned empty-handed.