Air Asia and Team Lotus Formula One boss Tony Fernandes has confirmed on his Twitter account that he has made an offer to buy West Ham. Fernandes, 47, missed out on buying West Ham last year to current co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, and has returned with a bid after rejecting the chance to form a partnership with the current owners.
The F1 tycoon posted on Twitter: "For all you west ham fans an offer has gone to the present owners of west ham. Let's see if they accept.'' Lifelong Hammers fan Fernandes first declared an interest in buying the club, or at least a stake in it, in November last year. On that occasion it is understood Fernandes met with then chairman Andrew Bernhardt in Kuala Lumpur, but was unable to agree a deal. Talks, however, continued behind the scenes, with Fernandes poised to take a stake in the club in January. At that time, however, Sullivan and Gold had already undertaken the due diligence process and went on to to complete a buy-out. In a strange twist, Fernandes expressed relief his purchase did not go through, but clearly now believes he is in a stronger position.
With a Twitter follower pulling Fernandes up on the fact he said not taking over at West Ham was the best thing that had ever happened to him, he replied: ''Yes, I did (say that). Because I was full on with Lotus. That has stabilised now.'' Fernandes may feel given his more suitable bargaining position, and with the club only recently relegated from the Premier League, he may be able to acquire them at a good price. For now, Fernandes intends to see what transpires, adding: ''Won't be any more statements on West Ham. Keeping fans informed. Now we have to just respect the process. If something happens it happens. If it goes quiet it goes quiet.''
However, West Ham's current owners revealed no offer had been made to them. David Sullivan said soon after: "We've had no offer. Any serious bidder would not make an offer by Twitter." And co-owner David Gold told Sky Sports News: "You would think that to buy a football club you would approach the incumbent owners. I find it quite bizarre that anybody makes any offer for a business via Twitter. "Let's hope it's serious as we would welcome another investor. It's inconceivable that somebody could begin negotiations this way. But you never know."
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