London Mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed West Ham United's offer to purchase London Stadium, according to talkSPORT.

West Ham United has played at the 2012 Olympic venue since the 2016/17 season, after leaving their former home, Upton Park.

The multipurpose stadium in Stratford is owned by the Greater London Authority and reportedly costs taxpayers £19 million annually. After West Ham United was relegated from the Premier League to the Championship, the annual rent they pay reportedly fell to less than half of the originally agreed £4.6 million, though the club remains obligated to pay rent each year.

Now, West Ham United appears to be encouraged to acquire the stadium. A letter published by City AM shows that Khan responded to a purchase proposal submitted by London Assembly member Bassam Mahfouz.

Khan stated: "As you point out, we must do our best to manage the difficult contractual situation left by former Mayor Boris Johnson. Despite these constraints, I'm proud of the progress we've made in ensuring the stadium serves Londoners as much as possible. I've always made clear that any credible proposal for the stadium will be considered, provided it offers a return to taxpayers, protects the public interest, and maintains the wider economic, social, and sporting benefits the venue brings to London."

West Ham United's Future at London Stadium

The idea of West Ham United and its supporters acquiring London Stadium is not new. Former Newcastle United executive Amanda Staveley reportedly expressed interest in purchasing the stadium when considering an investment in the club, but the deal ultimately fell through when Daniel Křetínský agreed to become the majority shareholder.

An acquisition could drive a redesign of the stadium, which many supporters dislike due to its current configuration. Because the stadium was originally built for the Olympic athletics events, many feel the bowl-shaped design is not ideal for football.

West Ham United also announced that the stadium would be included as a venue in England's bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, but Nairobi ultimately won the hosting rights over London.

Some away supporters have complained about the poor sightlines from the upper tiers of the away section. In the early years of West Ham United's move to the stadium, the corners behind the goals were configured along the running track curve, but these were later reconfigured to be straighter and closer to the pitch.

The stadium has a capacity of approximately 68,000, which can be expanded to 80,000 for concerts, offering further revenue-generation potential. However, West Ham United supporters prefer a more traditional home ground, particularly given Upton Park's reputation for having stands positioned very close to the pitch.

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