Chelsea looking to leave Stamford Bridge and move to Twickenham rugby stadium

Twickenham Stadium: Chelsea’s next home?

Chelsea football club have held talks with Rugby Union heads for a temporary move to the Twickenham Rugby stadium in London for a season to allow simultaneous redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.

The Rugby Football Union confirmed they have held talks with Chelsea but talks are at a nascent stage.

The RFU told Sunday Times: "We are regularly contacted by a variety of organisations, within and outside sport, on a wide range of opportunities concerning the use of what we believe is a world-class stadium.

"We have had an inquiry from Chelsea FC but have not had any discussions of any substance.

"While we don't comment on any specific confidential conversations, each request is taken on its merit, assessing a variety of factors, such as the effect on the pitch, availability, transport and local considerations and other important implications."

Chelsea were earlier looking to build a new stadium on a new site in London but it now appears they have settled for redeveloping Stamford Bridge instead.

Skysports reports that increase in stadium capacity from the current 41,623 to 60,000 would help the club meet UEFA's financial fairplay regulations.

Chelsea would have to wait till 2016-17 to make the switch because the 82,000-seat Twickenham stadium hosts the Rugby World Cup next year.

Though a Rugby Union stadium it has hosted Rugby League matches but never a football match. the stadium is 8.2 miles away from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea FC could move to Twickenham in the 2016/17 season as they look to extend Stamford Bridge to 60,000.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC_UK_) September 28, 2014