Salford Metropolis Council has rejected a joint bid from soccer membership Salford Metropolis and rugby union facet Sale Sharks to buy the AJ Bell Stadium.
The council mentioned the proposal to purchase the bottom didn’t “fulfill aspirations” for the group asset.
Sharks, together with rugby league facet Salford Crimson Devils, are current tenants of the 12,000-capacity venue.
They are going to each stay on the AJ Bell, whereas Salford Metropolis mentioned they’d now keep at their Peninsula Stadium house.
A Salford Metropolis Council spokesperson mentioned: “The council and Coscos (stadium firm) have been in in depth negotiations with companions concerning the sale of the stadium – however sadly we’ve got not acquired a proposal which satisfies our aspirations for this nice group asset.
“We are actually different future choices. It is very important notice that we’ve got been liaising carefully with executives at Salford Crimson Devils and Sale Sharks who’re totally briefed.
“We’ll present additional updates within the new yr.”
In a press release, the soccer membership mentioned the council would now be buying the stadium outright themselves.
“While this information got here as a shock to us, we are going to proceed to watch carefully the development of the acquisition, however at this second our quick future is to stay on the Peninsula Stadium,” the Salford Metropolis assertion mentioned.
Sale chief govt Sid Sutton instructed the Sharks’ membership web site: “We’ll proceed to have a long-term house at our stadium, nonetheless we are able to affirm that following 18 months of discussions, our proposed bid to purchase the stadium as a part of a three way partnership has been declined.
“We are actually working very carefully with Salford Metropolis Council to make sure we attain a sturdy settlement that permits Sale Sharks to each improve and management the matchday expertise for the advantage of our supporters, and profit commercially from matchday exercise.
“We’ve at all times maintained that taking management of the stadium is integral to the long-term way forward for Sale Sharks and that continues to be the case. However equally, we have been clear that we would not proceed with any plan of action till Salford Crimson Devils have secured a spot to play.
“Salford Metropolis Council’s proposed settlement will allow this to occur whereas making certain that the stadium stays the house of Sale Sharks.”
Salford Metropolis had beforehand introduced that they hoped to make the transfer to the AJ Bell Stadium in time for the 2023-24 season, whereas Tremendous League facet Salford Crimson Devils’ rental settlement on the floor is at the moment set to complete on the finish of the 2023 marketing campaign.
There was additionally speak final yr of a potential stadium swap settlement between the soccer and rugby league golf equipment.
Swinton-based businessman Sebastian Gerrard has additionally proven curiosity in buying the bottom in an effort to shield rugby league’s curiosity on the stadium.
Salford left their previous Willows house in Weaste on the finish of the 2011 Tremendous League season to maneuver to the brand new then-Salford Metropolis Stadium, with Sale becoming a member of them for the 2012-13 Premiership marketing campaign onwards.
“Salford Crimson Devils are conscious of the council’s intention to buy the stadium outright,” a membership assertion mentioned.
“We’re at the moment in dialogue to safe a long-term tenure that can current the membership with the chance to extend match day controls and the related incomes streams to make sure the long-term sustainability of the membership.”
