Chelsea insist they are still exploring all realistic avenues regarding ground development and have not ruled out a move from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea moved to counter a newspaper report in the UK which suggested the club had given up on their search for a new stadium site and would look to increase the ground capacity to 55,000 instead.

But a statement from the club said: "The club's position regarding ground redevelopment has remained unchanged for many months and it has not changed now.

"Chelsea have always maintained they would ideally like to expand the capacity at Stamford Bridge to a figure approaching 55,000 but that expansion is difficult because of the well-documented constraints on the site.

"All possible options regarding expansion are being examined and these are yet to be exhausted. No decision has been made.

"Only if these options are exhausted and any expansion plan is deemed unfeasible will the club be prepared to debate the possibilities of moving.

"However, Chelsea would not consider moving outside their 'spiritual home' of west London, which has led to speculation linking us with a whole variety of  sites in the surrounding area."

Chelsea have been linked with a number of possible stadium sites, from Earls Court and Olympia to White City. PA