A local lad — he was born in Leytonstone and was a ball boy for the Hammers in 1986 — Beckham nevertheless spirited himself away to Manchester United at an early age, and his playing career has hitherto been far outside the capital. But Gold thinks bringing the former England captain to east London could be mutually beneficial: his lambent star power would bring in the crowds and help ease along the planned move to the Olympic cupcake, while a return to the Premier League would help keep Beckham bobbing along in Fabio Capello's periphery vision.
Any decision would, one imagines, be predicated on the whims of Beckham's wife. Would she relish her hubby plying his trade in the old East End? A couple of years ago, perhaps not: but Westfield Stratford City opens next year, bringing a dab (however meagre) of Rodeo Drive to Newham.
In a feverish bout of transfer speculation, West Ham have also been linked in recent days with Ronaldinho and Michael Owen. A great team in 2002, perhaps, but Irons fans might not relish the spectacle of clapped-out players failing to roll back the years each week.
