Al Fayed leaves door open for Chelsea move

MOHAMED AL FAYED insists renting Stamford Bridge in the long-term is not an option — but he wants to leave the door open for a temporary move.

The Fulham chairman was offered a permanent tenancy for Fulham by Chelsea supremo Ken Bates a fortnight ago. But Al Fayed rejected the proposed groundshare at Fulham's London neighbours, which would have seen him buy into Chelsea Village plc.

The pair discussed the 9.9% purchase the highest proportion Premier League rules will allow and permanent share of Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago.

The proposed £15 million scheme would have included Fulham taking out a 25-year lease to play at Chelsea's home, where they would have their own changing area, board room and commercial facilities.

A Fulham spokesman said: ''The chairman wrote to Bates declining the offer.

He is publicly committed to redeveloping Craven Cottage or at least building a modern stadium somewhere in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.''

It is understood, however, that Al Fayed has not ruled out a temporary arrangement in the near future should it be necessary.

Fulham are currently four months into a two-year deal to lease Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road.

They have planning permission to redevelop their traditional Craven Cottage home but claim the maximum capacity of 30,000 would be insufficient so are searching for another suitable site.

Fans are opposed to leaving the Cottage, however, which leaves the club in limbo.

Talks got as far as Chelsea's lawyers writing to Al Fayed setting out the terms of an agreement for approval.

But Al Fayed was surprised by the speed of the move and insisted any interest Fulham might have would only amount to a short-term groundshare.