Chelsea is believed to be considering a £400m bid for the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in order to relocate from Stamford Bridge, according to a report in today’s Independent newspaper.
Sources close to the club have apparently told the paper that a move has been debated for several months because of problems in attempting to extend the 42,500 capacity at the Bridge, Chelsea’s home for 100 years. Increasing the capacity of Stamford Bridge to around 50,000 remains the club’s preferred option but logistical difficulties have stymied that plan.
Chelsea said last night: “We would like to increase the capacity at Stamford Bridge and ideally to a figure of just over 50,000 but there are constraints. Only after all possible scenarios for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge are exhausted can a debate start about other options.”
Chelsea refute stadium switch to Earls Court · Update
Chelsea have denied they are set to quit Stamford Bridge and buy the nearby Earls Court Exhibition Centre in a £400m deal.
“We have made our position clear several times on the issue of ground redevelopment at Stamford Bridge,” said a club spokesman. “Despite that, there has been speculation linking us with a whole variety of sites in London including Wembley, the Olympic Stadium at Stratford, White City, Battersea Power Station, Earls Court, Chelsea barracks and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Whether these sites are available, or not available, is irrelevant.
“Our position is that we would like to increase the capacity at Stamford Bridge, and ideally we would like to take it to a figure of just over 50,000 but there are constraints on our current site, which are well documented. Only after all possible scenarios for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge are exhausted can a debate start about other options.”
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