Sale Sharks make offer to buy AJ Bell Stadium

Sale Sharks owner Simon Orange has confirmed that the club has made an offer to buy the AJ Bell Stadium.

The 2006 Premiership champions are currently sharing the stadium on rent with Super League team Salford Red Devils and have now approached the Peel Group and Salford City Council for the ownership of the ground.

Orange further revealed that if their offer to purchase the stadium is declined, then they are ready to build a new stadium of their own.

"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," said Orange.

"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."

The AJ Bell Stadium was built in 2010/11 with the aid of an initial £22million loan from Salford City Council, who last week approved an additional loan of £632,000.

Sharks moved from Edgeley Park to the venue in 2012 and if their move to purchase the stadium goes successful then Orange confirmed that the Salford Red Devils will continue to remain tenants.

Orange also insisted that the club is now targetting a berth in the play-off after consistently finishing in the mid-table in the previous seasons.

"I think mid-table has been a good result for Sale over the last few years but we've got different ambitions now," Orange said.

"We need to be moving into the top four as soon as we can. And when we get in there, we want to stay there."

Meanwhile, Sale rugby director Steve Diamond has confirmed that Australia international James O'Connor has signed a three year deal with the club but will miss the opening game of the season as he is on his recovery from an ankle injury.

"He's had his ankle cleaned but he's on schedule to be fit for the Newcastle game," Diamond said.

"He's fitted in really well. He will add to our already exuberant backline."