With West Ham embarking on a panicked transfer flurry over the past 24 hours, many Irons fans have been left asking: “Where has this money suddenly come from?”
According to The Guardian, the Hammers are closing in on a huge cash injection, with American fund Monarch Collective in advanced talks to buy up to 49% of the WSL West Ham Women’s side. The deal is said to value the team at around £55m, which would make West Ham the second Women’s Super League club this year to sell a stake to US investors.
Intriguingly, Claret & Hugh did ask a top Hammers source about the potential sale of the Women’s team to help generate funds and were told, “We don’t think that would work”. However, that was back in May so presumably attitudes amongst Hammers bosses have changed on the issue.
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For West Ham, the potential tie-up could not be better timed. The women’s team, who have never finished higher than fifth in the WSL, still play at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Chigwell Construction Stadium. They have so far been unable to host games at the London Stadium — something Monarch are expected to push to change.
The club’s current board — David Sullivan, Daniel Křetínský and the Gold family — will retain overall control, but the fresh investment is expected to boost both squad quality and infrastructure. However, one suspects much of the money would be used to balance the clubs PSR issues and provide revenue for the senior men’s recruitment.
Chelsea sold 10% of their women’s team for £20m earlier this year, valuing them at £245m, while Aston Villa also explored the financial loophole to circumvent PSR restrictions for their men’s team.
West Ham now look set to join that list — a clear sign of the rising international interest in women’s football and the global potential of the WSL.