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West Ham co-owner David Gold admitted it was a 'big relief' that Winston Reid extended his stay at the club.
The New Zealand international's career was due to expire this summer, and the Hammers centre back was attracting interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
But Reid opted against leave the Hammers and signed a new six-year deal with Sam Allardyce's side, and co-owner David Gold admitted that retaining the defender was a 'massive boost' to the club.
“There’s no smoke without fire and I’m sure the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs were interested – that he chose to stay with us was a massive boost to us," Gold told Claret and Hugh.
“We have always said we will shed the image of being a selling club and this is a perfect example of that coming to fruition.
“His side negotiated hard down to the very last detain and we would have expected that but it became clear over the last two to three weeks that a deal was on. It was exciting and a big relief.
“Winston is a top player and an icon in New Zealand so to have sorted him out for six years is brilliant and along with the signings of mark Noble and James Tomkins shows this is a club that is displaying it’s ambition ahead of our move to the Olympic Stadium.”
