Chelsea may have to leave their Stamford Bridge home for three seasons while it undergoes a radical redevelopment, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
Provisional plans are set to be released by the club on Tuesday that will outline a rebuilding project which includes widespread development in all areas around Stamford Bridge, increased capacity to 60,000 seats, and the demolition of the two hotels that currently sit adjacent to the current stadium.
Chelsea officials are keen to add to their capacity of 41,798 as they look to compete with some of their major domestic and European rivals in generating matchday revenue. However, the Daily Mail reports that the club could be forced to relocate for an extended period.
The Mail story claims that Wembley Stadium or Twickenham -- the home of English rugby -- could be temporary homes for Chelsea while Stamford Bridge is renovated. The club will need to overcome a host of planning applications to proceed with the project.
The newspaper has also published the first images of initial plans drawn up by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for a lavish redevelopment of the ground, which would take the capacity up to around 60,000.
REVEALED: How Chelsea's new stadium will look as Abramovich unveils 60,000 capacity plans http://t.co/LCRqA2XGPO pic.twitter.com/QcLTvuB8u8
- MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) June 30, 2015
Images of the plans reveal that the new Stamford Bridge could have a unique style that will transform the venue into a stadium that features gothic pillars and will have a very different look to most modern stadia.
The report suggests the ambitious project "is being financed by Abramovich, who is conducting the whole ambitious project as a separate entity run by his people away from Chelsea Football Club business," with the proposals put forward after the club failed to identify an alternative venue for an expanded ground over the last few years.
The plans will be given a public airing for local residents who are based near the only stadium Chelsea have ever played in. It has been their home ground since the club's formation in 1905.