Could West Ham sign Olympics deal this month?

By Rob Virtue on March 4, 2013 3:34 PM |

Tagged with:

West Ham United are hopeful of completing a deal this month to move into the Olympic Stadium.

The London Legacy Development Corporation named the Hammers as the preferred bidder before Christmas. And the club's co-owner David Gold said he believes a deal could be done by March 16.

Speaking to talkSPORT he said: "I think we're close. It's only what I'm being promised. As we speak I'm being promised 16 March.

"We would sign the agreement then."

Mayor Boris Johnson has described talks as "positive".

Discussions have taken place over the conversion costs and how much would be funded by the club and its bid partner Newham Council.

There would need to be retractable seating over the running tracks and a cantilever roof.

It has been an ongoing drama over who moves into the Olympics Stadium with West Ham leading it throughout, despite opposition by Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient.

It was hoped the final agreement would be made last month but that never materialised.

The Hammers could be playing matches at the ground from the 2016-17 season with the club paying a rent to the LLDC.