Super League side Salford Red Devils could switch stadiums with Class of ’92-owned Salford City FC as part of a move by the League Two club and Premiership rugby’s Sale Sharks to buy the AJ Bell Stadium.
The stadium is currently home to Sale and the Red Devils while Salford City play their home games at Moor Lane, Peninsula Stadium in Kersal.
The Super League club issued a statement following media reports at the end of last week, saying their are “currently actively engaged in positive discussions with all parties” over the proposed move.
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It comes after the chief executive of Sale Sharks outlined a joint bid to buy the AJ Bell Stadium with Salford City FC.
The 12,000 capacity ground next to the M60 at Barton is currently jointly owned by Salford City Council and property and land giant Peel.
Sale have played at the AJ Bell since 2012 and announced in 2018 that they would move grounds if the owners would not sell. The club’s plans to build a new stadium fell through last year.
A Salford Red Devils statement said: “We are currently actively engaged in positive discussions with all parties in the reported ‘stadium swap’ agreement, and we continue to strive towards the best possible outcome for Salford Red Devils.
“Other parties in these discussions are COSCOS (Salford City Council and Peel Holdings), Sale Sharks and Salford City Football Club.
“We are open minded to facilitate all aspects of the ongoing dialogue as long as the best interests of the club are also considered throughout the process.
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“As we understand it, there is still no finalised agreement for the purchase of the AJ Bell Stadium.
“Regarding our reported move to the Peninsula Stadium at Moor Lane, whilst we understand positive progress has been made between Salford City Football Club and Salford City Council, we are still yet to undertake any due diligence on the stadium.
“The conversations continue to develop at pace, however the club recognises the need to conduct a considered evaluation of any alternative options to our tenancy at the AJ Bell Stadium, which is still contracted until the end of 2023.
(Image: PA)“We will be hosting a fans forum on Thursday 4th November to provide a further update on circumstances as they currently stand and anticipate that there may be further updates to provide by this date.
“Full details of the fans forum will be released in the coming week and we look forward to seeing as many fans in attendance as possible regarding what is an important process and topic in the club’s history.”
Salford City Council added: “We are issuing this statement to update people on the current situation. We understand fans of the clubs want to be informed as this progresses.
“Discussions are at an advanced stage and ongoing between all four parties in matters relating to the AJ Bell Stadium and Peninsula Stadium at Moor Lane.
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“It is important to note that the expectation is we will secure a future for all three clubs in the city. We are proud to have them based in the city and we also need to consider the future of all sporting clubs in Salford.
“Subject to Salford FC and Sale Sharks buying the stadium from CosCos (the stadium company) they would both be based at the AJ Bell stadium with Salford Red Devils moving to the Peninsula Stadium at Moor Lane under a lease arrangement from the council, if such a move is approved by the Salford Red Devils Board and members.
“A lot of work remains to be undertaken and we will say more as matters are progressed. We want to get to the point where all parties are happy that the desired outcomes are achievable and formal approvals will then be sought.
“We will update as further information becomes available.”
Salford City FC currently play in League Two and are owned by former Manchester United stars Gary and Phil Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes as well as Singapore businessman Peter Lim.
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