West Ham Co-Chairman Claims Olympic Stadium Deal is Close

West Ham could be close to securing a deal to move into the Olympic Stadium after talks with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). 

The Premier League club were named the ‘preferred bidder’ in December 2012 and have been discussing details such as the conversion cost with the LLDC since. London Mayor Boris Johnson has described those talks as “positive” and the club’s co-chairman, David Gold is also positive.

Gold told talkSPORT: “I think we’re close. It’s only what I’m being promised. As we speak I’m being promised March 16,” Gold told talkSPORT. “We would sign the agreement then.” 

London’s Olympic bid promised to retain athletics events at the Olympic Stadium after the Games and Gold beleives this is only viable with the financial support that football can offer.

Gold added: “Most Olympic Stadiums have failed because they haven’t embraced the legacy and also saying the Olympics is over. Athletics needs football to support it. There’s no other way.” 

The LLDC will discuss the future of the stadium at their next board meeting on 26 March. An extraordinary general meeting can be called if an agreement over the stadium’s future is agrred before that date.