A toxic relationship between West Ham fans and the club's owners tarnished the development of the east London giants last season, but a summer spending spree has helped to rebuild bridges between fans and supporters. 

Manuel Pellegrini's arrival was a statement appointment which suggested that West Ham are no long prepared to settle for mediocrity.

With a loyal and extensive fan base in place, a richly talented squad and a 60,000 capacity stadium, it's clear that the Hammers possess the tools to compete with the top-six clubs in the Premier League.

There is a huge gulf in class between the established top-six clubs and the rest of the division, with the likes of West Ham and Everton seemingly stuck in a twilight zone between European qualification and mid-table obscurity.

The current task facing West Ham's owners is finding a way to topple the established order and become a genuine contender for a place in the Champions League, and a recent report from Sky Sports suggests that they have a plan lined up to achieve that ambition.

The report is based on quotes from Karen Brady in which she claims that West Ham's owners are interested in buying the London Stadium.

"It really should have the commercial expertise it deserves, it should have the financial controls it so readily needs, it does need investment.

"I don't think it's anywhere near to realising its full potential and that, for me, is incredibly frustrating.

"(Buying the stadium is) certainly something we would look at. I think if it was to become a dedicated football stadium, with pop concerts and maybe the occasional rugby match that could be a really seriously good proposition."

The Hammers faithful have struggled to warm to the new stadium since they left Upton Park in 2016, but now that they have made the decision it's important that they make the best of an undesirable situation.

And Brady's suggestion that the club could take full control of the stadium is a positive indication into the boardroom's plans for the future.

By taking full control of the London Stadium and sponsorship deals into the naming of it, West Ham could expand their profile overseas and would expect to command greater revenues following the cash injection provided by new sponsors.

The consequence: more money for the acquisition of new talent and, in theory at least, a stronger challenge for European football.

So far the move into the new stadium has not produced the level of progression which the fans expected it to but, if Brady eventually follows through on her recent comments and West Ham's bigwigs decide to purchase the stadium in the future, there is no doubt it could enable the club to progress to the next level.

West Ham fans - thoughts? Let us know below!