Journalist Paul Brown has questioned the motives behind PAI Capital's public announcement of their failed takeover bid of West Ham.
What's the latest news involving West Ham?
PAI Capital announced in August that they'd reached an agreement in principle over a new lease for the London Stadium that would give them more control over the direction of West Ham's controversial ground.
However, that was subject to the firm successfully completing a takeover of the east London club, and it has since been confirmed that no deal will be taking place in the immediate future.
In a statement last week, PAI Capital revealed that an offer to buy West Ham had been rejected by David Sullivan, on the grounds that it would not be the right time to sell with the Irons performing so well on the pitch.
David Moyes lead the Hammers to a sixth-placed finish last season, while they are currently just two points off a top four spot and have won consecutive Europa League fixtures.
What has Paul Brown said about PAI Capital's failed takeover bid?
Speaking with GIVEMESPORT, journalist Brown has suggested there may be an ulterior motive behind PAI Capital's statement.
He claimed that successful takeovers are usually done quietly, whereas PAI Capital have been surprisingly vocal and public about their attempts to take control of the east London side.
He told GMS: "I'd be a bit wary when someone shouts so loudly in public about wanting a club. You wonder about the motives there. It just doesn't seem the way to do a deal.
"If you're putting together a complicated takeover bid, you just don't go shouting in the press about it. It doesn't really work, it's not a good tactic and these people know that, so there must be another reason why they did it."
Will PAI Capital return with another offer?
In their most recent statement PAI Capital suggested that they do not intend on returning with another offer any time soon, but insisted that they are open to talks should Sullivan decide he is ready to sell.
Nonetheless, with Brown uncertain of the motives behind their statement, it remains to be seen how interested PAI Capital actually are in buying West Ham.
There are also legitimate questions to be asked over why they have tried to force a takeover now, when the Irons are indeed enjoying an affluent period on the pitch.
And despite PAI Capital's interpretation of their discussions with Sullivan, it has previously been reported that West Ham's current owners would never sell to a consortium they view merely as 'property developers'.