Chelsea in talks with AFC Wimbledon over stadium purchase

It's new stadium chat, but of a less sexy sort than we're used to: AFC Wimbledon have, according to the Surrey Comet, agreed to sell their home ground Kingsmeadow to Chelsea if they can secure permission to build a new stadium in Merton.

Obviously this wouldn't be for the first team -- at present Kingsmeadow only fits about 5,000 -- and the Comet's source says that instead it would serve as a home for the youth and women's teams. A statement from AFC Wimbledon's owners has denied that a price has been agreed, but have confirmed that discussions have taken place:

The Dons Trust, owners of AFC Wimbledon, can confirm that the club has been in discussions with a number of organisations, including Chelsea Football Club, over the future of Kingsmeadow, should our club's proposal to move to a new stadium in Wimbledon be approved by Merton Council.

These discussions are confidential and each proposal is being thoroughly evaluated to ensure it provides the best outcome for the area and the club.

There's still a bit of work to be done, and it's by no means guaranteed that Merton Council will cooperate with Wimbledon's wishes, but it's an interesting development nonetheless. Kingsmeadow is far closer to central London than our current (temporary) home at Aldershot Town, after all...