Chelsea
have offered a four-year deal to land Wembley as their temporary home during
Stamford Bridge's redevelopment, putting Tottenham's chances of using the
national stadium in doubt, according to their chairman Daniel Levy.
Chelsea are currently planning a £500m revamp of the Bridge and have
indicated to the FA their need for another home for at least three seasons,
possibly four, despite not yet knowing when they can begin work in SW6.
Spurs therefore face an anxious wait to see if they can use Wembley for the
2017/18 season whilst they build their new ground adjacent to White Hart
Lane - and supporters may have to wait until 2017 to find out where they
will spend that campaign.
The north London club's contingency plan is MK Dons' Stadium MK in Milton
Keynes - more than 50 miles from Tottenham - and Sky sources understand a
deal has already been verbally agreed for its use.
But Tottenham are still determined to share Wembley with Chelsea and have
urged the FA to do the right thing for both clubs.
Speaking at a recent meeting with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust,
Levy said it was Chelsea who persuaded the FA to consider a Premier League
club playing at Wembley after they had previously rejected the idea.
And although he acknowledged the FA has a desire to treat clubs equally, the
Spurs chairman believes a four-year deal is attracting them far more than
Spurs' one-year deal, despite the likelihood of per-season income being the
same from both clubs.
Levy confirmed to THST that the Wembley board will give a recommendation to
the FA board, who will make the ultimate decision, and the FA are now
considering the practicalities of a ground-share.
And Sky sources understand that, until that is decided, no further
discussions with the clubs in question can take place.
Chelsea have told Sky Sports News HQ: "We will continue to look at our
options."
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