Twitter offer to buy club baffles Gold

WEST HAM co-owner David Gold yesterday reacted with surprise at claims by Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes that he had made an offer for the club.

Within hours of new manager Sam Allardyce's appointment as Avram Grant's successor, the Air Asia and Team Lotus boss announced via his Twitter account that he had tabled a bid for the Hammers.

Fernandes, who attempted to buy the club last year, wrote: "For all you West Ham fans, an offer has gone to the present owners of West Ham. Let's see if they accept."

But that was greeted with bemusement by Gold, though he did not deny he and co-owner David Sullivan would be happy to invite new investment into the club but appeared baffled by Fernandes' chosen medium.

"I'd find it quite bizarre anybody would make an offer through Twitter but let's hope it's serious," he said.

"It's inconceivable someone would start negotiations in this way but you never know, we'll have to see what happens."