Chelsea are close to agreeing terms over the purchase of AFC Wimbledon’s Kingsmeadow stadium with a deal set to be signed later this month.
The Kingston-based ground is leased by the Dons from the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames after they purchased the agreement for £2.4million from Kingstonian FC owner Rajesh Khosla in 2003.
Wimbledon signed fresh terms with the council on a new 125-year contract in 2010 which enabled the club to build a new stand at the Kingston Road end.
The south west Londoners are hopeful of completing a move back to their spiritual home of Merton and are in the process of trying to secure planning permission for an 11,000-seater stadium in Plough Lane.
To enable the move, the Dons Trust are looking to raise funds and see the sale of their current home to the reigning Premier League champions as the most suitable option.
Chelsea intend to use Kingsmeadow as a new base for their ladies and youth teams.
An initial payment of £600,000 will be made by the Blues upon signature of the agreement with a further two installments when the lease is transferred to them and when the Dons move out.
How Kingsmeadow has developed in pictures:
The full sale price has not been disclosed but it will exceed the amount the Wombles have invested into the site over the duration of their stay.
The fans-owned club need to vote the deal through and the Dons Trust has launched its “Back in Two Ticks” campaign with every full DT member urged to vote ‘yes’ twice to facilitate a return back to Plough Lane.
Ballot papers for the first vote will be sent out by post or e-mail (according to each member’s stated preference) at the end of September.
Kingstonian, who also play at Kingsmeadow, have agreed to move out and are actively looking for a more suitable venue to fit the needs of a club of their size.
AFC Wimbledon will pay the Ryman Premier outfit a significantly larger sum than they are entitled to as compensation for the upheaval.
In addition, Jose Mourinho’s team have agreed to fulfill two friendly fixtures with Wimbledon once their new stadium is built.
