The "problem" Doug King has in trying to build new 40,000-seater Coventry City stadium | OneFootball

Coventry City owner Doug King has expressed an interest in building a new 40,000-seater stadium to become the club's new home

Coventry City owner Doug King has explored the possibility of building a 40,000-seater stadium to replace the CBS Arena as the club’s home.

According to the BBC, the American businessman’s plan entails building a new stadium at the Butts Park Arena, which is the current home of the Coventry Rugby Club.

The Sky Blues are currently competing in the CBS Arena, but King is not the owner of the ground, which is owned by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group.

Coventry could be at risk of being fined £10,000 by the EFL under new rules which require clubs to have at least a 10-year lease on their stadium, while the Championship side’s agreement to play in the CBS Arena is set to expire in 2028.

It has been reported that the council was contacted informally about the idea for a new stadium, but it's understood that they offered a negative reaction to the club.

Coventry explore 40,000-seater stadium build

Chairman of Coventry Rugby Club Jon Sharp has opened up on discussions he had with King about a 40,000-seater stadium being built, suggesting it’s not feasible.

He also revealed that talks have been held with Ashley over purchasing the CBS Arena, claiming this is King’s priority for the time being.

“Yes, it has been suggested,” said Sharp, via the BBC.

"The problem Doug King has is that he owns the football club but he doesn't own the stadium.

“He is having discussions with Mike Ashley and I think he wants to have an alternative up his sleeve.

"He did mention it to me and I said it wasn't going to be feasible.

“That really is it as far as I'm concerned.

“We did not know he had spoken to the council.

"We support the Sky Blues, they are our fellow Coventry club.

“But we don't think it's feasible unfortunately and it's not in our gift anyway, it would be in the gift of the council."

Coventry will begin their upcoming Championship campaign on 9 August with a home clash against Hull City, which kicks-off at 12.30pm.

Doug King has to sort out Coventry’s stadium situation

It has been claimed that any move away from the CBS Arena will need approach from the Independent Football Regulator, so there may be too many stumbling blocks in Coventry’s way with this plan for a 40,000-seater.

Their priority should remain trying to stay in the CBS Arena, even if the cost of a deal with Frasers Group could prove costly.

It is the kind of short-term expense that may prove quite beneficial in the long run, and will allow the Sky Blues to be in total control of their home.

Regardless, they will want to find a solution to their 2028 lease expiry date, as they could be fined thousands of pounds, as it doubles for each consecutive year without a deal up to 10 years, and they would be at risk of expulsion from the league by the EFL in 2028 if an extension isn’t agreed by then.