West Ham United co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have both claimed to be unaware of any bid for the club by entrepreneur Tony Fernandes.
Fernandes claimed earlier this afternoon via his Twitter account that he had made a concrete offer of investment - without confirming whether it was for the remaining shares controlled by Icelandic bankers Straumur, or the entire club.However Sky News blogger Mark Kleinman claimed tonight that Fernandes was indeed seeking to take full control, having enlisted the service of former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon to assist him.
Gold and Sullivan both insisted this afternoon that neither of them had been in contact with Fernandes, whom they beat in the race to win control of West Ham United back in January 2010.
Gold stated that "it's absolute news to me", adding "I certainly haven't heard any information regarding this - it's interesting". Meanwhile Sullivan brushed off Fernandes' claims, stating that "we've received no offer from Tony" adding, without a hint of irony, "we think any serious bidder would make it in private".
News of Fernandes' 'bid' has also reached new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who admitted to being concerned at the news. "My information, having spoken to David Sullivan, was that he did not want to sell West Ham football club, because it is his club," he told Sky Sports News.
"It is the club he has always supported. That was one of the reasons why I took the job, because I didn't want any fractions in terms of change of ownership. My reputation has already suffered wrongly by new ownerships at Newcastle and Blackburn dispensing of my services when there was no real credibility in that other than the fact that they were new owners and didn't want me.
"It wasn't down to results, it wasn't down to the way I have performed as a manager, so, if that's the case and that materialises then obviously I am surprised at that."
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