Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is unlikely to buy a stake in West Ham.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested bombshell news of the 52-year-old’s interest could be aimed at “keeping him fresh and relevant” and “in the headlines”.

According to The Sun (26 June), basketball hall-of-famer O’Neal is in talks to buy a stake in West Ham.

The club is presently owned by four major investors – Daniel Kretinsky, David Sullivan, the Gold Family and Albert ‘Tripp’ Smith.

Shaq could become the latest US celebrity to invest in English football, with NBA star Lebron James, NFL legend Tom Brady and actor Ryan Reynolds purchasing stakes in recent years.

Shaq’s West Ham interest ‘doesn’t feel right’, says Wyness

However, Wyness claimed news of the basketball star’s interest in West Ham “just doesn’t feel right”.

He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “We’ve discussed before about how there is value in influencers right now, especially with social media.

“But I don’t think Shaq to West Ham will happen.

“It just doesn’t feel right.

“It feels like Shaq and his PR team are trying to keep him in the headlines, keep him fresh and relevant.

“That’s the feeling it had for me.

“These deals get done behind the scenes if they are going to happen.”

In other news, Irons plan to accept £15million midfielder bid.

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