David Sullivan has given West Ham fans hope he could seek to buy the club in the near future

By KIRK BLOWS

David Sullivan has given West Ham fans hope he could seek to buy the club in the near future.

Sullivan has agreed to sell his stake in Birmingham City, whose takeover by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is on the verge of completion.

And he has refused to rule out a move for the Hammers, whose present owners Straumur are keen to sell if they believe they can attain the true market price.

Sullivan said: "I will look at what's available in the next three to six months and if something appeals to me from an emotional point of view or financial point of view - ideally both - I would immediately step in and buy a percentage or controlling interest in that club."

Sullivan has an affection for West Ham and lives in Essex. But he insists he has held no talks with the club as yet.

He said: "I just think I'm being linked because they are down the road [from me] and they are obviously owned by a bank that's insolvent.

"But I have had no discussions whatsoever with West Ham and I have had no discussions with any other club at this stage."

The 60-year-old also confessed that "anything's possible in football" regarding a future investment at Upton Park.