David Gold: Hammers ‘close’ to Olympic stadium deal

Following talks with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), Gold said that his club had edged closer to a move from Upton Park to the £429 million venue.

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

Gold accepts he has predicted false dawns before, but remains hopeful that the Irons will move into the stadium in 2016.

“I’m embarrassed because I’ve tweeted 10 times that it’s going to be next week or next month and here’s a date,” he said. “The date comes and goes and then I give another date. But I think we are close.”

West Ham were handed “preferred bidder” status in December and talks with the LLDC have since focused on details of the proposed move.

A key sticking point has been the issue of how much West Ham would contribute to conversion costs of the Stratford stadium, which would require the installation of temporary seating to cover the running track.

Gold added: “There are certain things I can’t share with you because of the confidentiality agreement. We will only go there if it is fit for use.

“I won’t go there if I have to look over a running track. But I believe we are in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let’s face it. They’ve built a stadium — albeit the wrong shape and size.”