AHEAD OF THE GAME: West Ham could be heading for an American takeover

West Ham director Tripp Smith is putting together a US consortium with a view to buying a controlling interest in the club from co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

The American billionaire, who runs private equity firm The Blackstone Group, bought a 10 per cent stake in the club with personal funds three years ago, but has stayed in the background and has rarely been seen at the London Stadium.

As part of the deal three years ago Smith also provided West Ham with a £9.5million interest-free loan, which is only repayable following a change of ownership. 

West Ham may be set for an American takeover as a consortium is being fronted by Tripp Smith

To add to the intrigue, a restrictive covenant in the terms of West Ham’s London Stadium lease which prevents Sullivan and Gold selling up expires next year, so Smith has time to assemble a takeover bid.

A group from the Middle East are also thought to be eyeing West Ham, but given Smith’s existing investment and good relations with Sullivan and Gold, an American takeover is seen as more likely in the long term.

A Middle Eastern group are also thought to be keen but an American takeover is more likely

 ARSENAL’S LATE NIGHT PRESS CALL

Arsenal stretched the new vogue for flexible working to its limits this week by holding a press conference with Mikel Arteta to preview Saturday’s Premier League match against Brighton at 7.30 in the evening. 

Journalists were at least spared rush-hour traffic on the M25 to get to Arsenal’s training ground at London Colney as the press conference was conducted online, but the time was hardly convenient, particularly for those with young families. 

The evening press call is a far cry from Arsenal’s media operations under Arsene Wenger, who generally held his conferences at 8.30 in the morning.

Arsenal held an evening virtual press conference ahead of their trip to Brighton on Saturday

PREMIER LEAGUE BOSSES SWEATING ON BBC VIEWERS

Premier League executives will nervously await news of the viewing figures for Saturday’s clash between Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, the first top-flight game to be televised live on the BBC since 1988.

While the expected record Premier League audience of over 10million would boost the competition in the short term, there are fears among executives that massive numbers will increase pressure on them to ensure that some top-flight games are made available on free-to-air television, which would reduce the value of the next broadcast contract.

As Sportsmail reported on Thursday, there is already tension between the Premier League and their main domestic rights-holders, Sky Sports and BT Sport, over whether all matches should continue to be shown live next season until fans are permitted to return to stadiums.

PHYSIOS KEEPING THEIR DISTANCE

Premier League clubs are using teams of physios and masseurs working in shifts to ensure their players receive the required treatment while complying with social-distancing guidelines.

Under the Premier League’s return to training protocols, players with muscular injuries are restricted to 15 minutes’ hands-on treatment to reduce the risk of infection. 

So some clubs have instructed their medical teams to work in teams of four, changing personnel every 15 minutes so that they can provide an hour’s treatment. 

Premier League physios are working in teams in order to comply with social distancing 

CORONATION FOR KLOPP’S KINGS WON’T BE FREE 

Sky Sports’ willingness to make tomorrow’s Merseyside derby available free by screening it on their Sky Pick channel was a key factor in ensuring it could take place at Goodison Park as planned rather than being moved to a neutral venue.

That was on the grounds that wider television access would help prevent crowds gathering outside the stadium in an anticipation of celebrating Liverpool winning their first Premier League title at the home of their city rivals.

Following Manchester City’s win over Arsenal however, Liverpool cannot seal the championship until Crystal Palace visit Anfield on Wednesday, although that game will only be available on Sky’s subscription channel.

Liverpool’s possible title-winning match against Crystal Palace will not be free to air