Salford City Council have turned down an offer from Sale Sharks to buy the AJ Bell Stadium.
The Sharks share the ground with Super League’s Salford Red Devils but the Premiership Rugby Union outfit want to own the stadium, despite it currently making a huge loss.
It was reported earlier this month that loans from the Council to the AJ Bell total almost £25 million.
Salford Council jointly own the stadium with Peel Holdings, however Sale owner Simon Orange wants the ground to belong to them.
Speaking at the Sharks’ media day, Orange said: “We’re in negotiations at the minute and, if we can’t buy this stadium, then we’re going to have to build our own because we have got to own and control our own destiny.
“We’ve made an offer but it’s still early stages. I can’t go into detail but the offer we’ve made we think is above what it’s worth.”
Salford Deputy Mayor, John Merry, confirmed to the Salford Star that an offer had been made by Sale Sharks for the stadium but that it was “unacceptable”.
Should Sale put in another bid and be successful, it unknown whether this will affect Salford Red Devils future at the stadium.
The Red Devils have played at the AJ Bell since 2012, however they have struggled to attract fans which has frustrated owner Marwan Koukash.
