West Ham could be in line for a mega-money takeover byenergy drinks giants Red Bull, according to a report inthe Sun.
The global franchise are reportedly huge fanson West Ham's new home, the London Stadium, with suggestion that the former Olympic site would be integral to Red Bull's marketing ethos if a takeoverbid wasto go ahead.
Red Bull currently ownRed Bull Salzburg, Bundesliga high-flyersRB Leipzig and Red Bull New York, as well as a number of championship winning Formula One teams.
Purchasing West Ham would be a huge move by Red Bull, as it would be their first club in the UK let alone London.
Their biggest footballingachievement so far comes after theSSV Markranstadt takeoverin 2007, which saw the club re-branded as Red Bull Leipzig.
RB Leipzig were in the fifth tier of German football when Red Bull took over, but now they are sitting at the top of the Bundesliga after achieving promotion last season.
EXCLUSIVE: West Ham being lined up for sensational takeover bid https://t.co/s6bZ3NI8QD pic.twitter.com/NapDCHeKRp
And West Ham now look like the next best option for the drinks giants, with Red Bull reportedly in awe of their location and facilities.
However,Red Bull aren't allowed to fully own another Europeanclub in case they drawSalzburg or Leipzig in European competition, meaning that a 'major shareholder' role looks more likely.
Although West Ham owners David Gold and Sullivan have previously insisted that the club isn'tfor sale, they have also admitted that a shareholding might be sold to clear some of the outstanding debt.
West Ham are reportedly worth around£200m, and if Red Bull go ahead with a takeover bid it could see the east-London club's branding transformcompletely, with sponsors, kits, stadium names among many others all set to change.
RB Leipzig have become one of themost hated teams in Germany due to their branding and marketing, but on the field they have excelled, sitting in 2nd in the Bundesliga on 36 points after 16 games.