Preliminary discussions have taken place between Oxford United and London Welsh over the possibility of jointly purchasing the Kassam Stadium.

The two clubs will share the ground from this season as tenants of the Firoka Group, which owns the stadium and surrounding land.

The rugby club’s arrival this summer was seen by some as an extra obstacle to United’s long-term plans for buying the facilities.

But on the contrary, U’s owner Ian Lenagan believes it could help achieve the goal and early talks have been held between the clubs about a combined bid.

“If anything (the ground-share) makes it more positive,” he said.

“I can easily see a scenario where the stadium company that owns this ground might be say London Welsh and Oxford United.

“We have double the opportunity of income from the stadium then – stadiums these days, providing you put the investment into the pitch, you need to use them as often as possible and once every fortnight is not often enough.”

The added income from a second tenant could increase Firoz Kassam’s asking price, but Lenagan will remain patient.

He said: “Mr Kassam has his own ways. I think nothing will happen for a year, personally.

“Our ambitions are the same, but we’ll only buy the stadium at the right price with the right structure.”