West Ham United owner David Sullivan linked to Birmingham City takeover bid - here’s how

West Ham United owner David Sullivan is reportedly funding a proposed £35million takeover of Birmingham City.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, which claims that Sullivan, the former owner of Birmingham who sold the club to Carson Yeung in 2009, could regain control at St Andrew’s if the club’s prospective buyer Laurence Bassini fails to repay a loan Sullivan is funding.

The report states that Sullivan’s investment company, Rickleford Limited, have agreed to loan Bassini £33m to buy Blues from the current Hong Kong-based owners Birmingham Sports Holdings Ltd.

The Mail states that the loan offer would give Sullivan control of ‘the property assets of the club’ in the event of a default.

Bassini has reportedly been in negotiations with Blues owners BSHL since the end of last year.

The 52-year-old also spent one year as Watford chairman before selling to the Pozzo family in 2012.

A report from The Telegraph also states that the potential UK-based buyer is working with Keith Harris, a financial expert, who has been appointed by Blues’ current owners Birmingham Sports Holdings Ltd, to help complete a sale.

Months of fan unrest

The news comes after months of protests from Blues fans, who have demanded change at the top of the club during marches before their side’s home games.

Supporters have said previously that they are unhappy with how the club is being run.

Uncertainty over who actually owns the club, the state of their St Andrew’s ground -part of which has been closed for more than a year due to structural issues - and increasing financial losses and have all been used in protest at the owners.

Thousands of Blues supporters also flooded the playing area after the final whistle against Blackburn on Saturday (7 May) to protest against Birmingham Sport Holdings, despite repeated pleas from the PA system and the presence of dozens of stewards and police.

BSHL are also under renewed scrutiny after it was reveale that the club’s academy failed a recent audit by the Premier League.

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