An American billionaire has launched an audacious bid worth more than £500 million to buy Wembley Stadium from the Football Association, the Evening Standard has learned.

Car parts tycoon Shahid Khan - owner of Fulham FC and the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team - is understood to have struck an outline agreement with FA boss Martin Glenn to transfer the “home of English football” to foreign ownership for the first time.

The extraordinary proposal, which will send shockwaves through the sport, was being put before the full board of the domestic game’s governing body today.

If the takeover gets the go ahead more American football games are likely to be played at Wembley and it could even pave the way for an NFL franchise to be permanently based in London.

In pictures | The history of Wembley Stadium 75 show all In pictures | The history of Wembley Stadium 1/75 A general view of Wembley Stadium at night Getty Images 2/75 1923 The construction of Wembley Stadium Getty Images 3/75 1923 The construction of Wembley Stadium, circa 1923. First known as the Empire Stadium, it was built for the British Empire Exhibition Getty Images 4/75 1923 An aerial view of Wembley Stadium during the 1923 FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United Getty Images 5/75 1923 Mounted policemen control the crowds overflowing onto the pitch before the FA Cup Final between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium. It was the first final to be held at Wembley, with an estimated attendance of 200,000. The game became known as the 'White Horse Final' for the actions of PC George Scorey and his white horse Billy. Bolton Wanderers won the cup with a 2-0 victory Getty Images 6/75 1923 Putting up turnstiles for the West Ham United versus Bolton Wanderers Cup Final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 7/75 1923 Crowds at the turnstiles before the FA Cup Final between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 8/75 1923 Crowds at the FA Cup Final between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers scale the walls at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 9/75 1923 Police attempt to keep crowds off the pitch before of the first FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 10/75 1923 King George V (1865 - 1936) and a huge crowd attend the first FA Cup Final to be held at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 11/75 1923 Players leap for the ball during the FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United Getty Images 12/75 1923 Groundsmen rolling the track in preparation for a British Legion rally at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 13/75 1924 Workmen strengthening the stands at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 14/75 1924 Bronco riding at a rodeo at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 15/75 circa 1924 World champion steer wrestler Buck Lucas astride his horse at a rodeo at Wembley stadium Getty Images 16/75 1925 Groundsmen mark out the touch line at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 17/75 1931 The Graf Zeppelin over Wembley stadium during a cup fina Getty Images 18/75 1932 A Post Office official testing out the phones to be installed at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 19/75 1932 Australian speedway champion Lionel Van Praag riding a motorcycle around the track at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 20/75 1934 The newly-constructed Empire Pool and Sports Arena at Wembley, next to Wembley stadium Getty Images 21/75 1936 Valuable racing greyhounds taking exercise in the grounds of Wembley Stadium Getty Images 22/75 1936 Workmen constructing the banking of the six-day cycle race track, in the car-park at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 23/75 1936 A stunt driver performs a car somersault at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 24/75 1938 A man conducts supporters' singing at Wembley Stadium before the start of a match between England and Scotland Getty Images 25/75 1938 Speedway racers at Wembley Getty Images 26/75 1938 Team Captain Gus Risman is chaired by team-mates with the trophy after Salford beat Barrow to win the Rugby League Challenge Cup at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 27/75 1939 Groundstaff at Wembley Stadium roll the pitch as part of the months of preparations for the FA Cup Final Getty Images 28/75 1942 England centre-forward Tommy Lawton heads the ball past Scotland's goalkeeper Dawson to score for England during an international match at Wembley Stadium on behalf of the Aid to Russia Fund Getty Images 29/75 1943 A baseball match between the US and Canadian Armies at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 30/75 1944 General Dwight D Eisenhower meeting the Chelsea team before the South Cup Final between Charlton Athletic and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 31/75 1947 Wembley Stadium during an international match between England and Scotland Getty Images 32/75 1948 Workmen resurfacing the track at Wembley Stadium, London, in preparation for the Olympic Games 33/75 1948 The opening day of the 14th Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 34/75 1948 A British athlete bears the Olympic Torch into the Empire Stadium at Wembley, London, and inaugurates the 1948 Olympic Games Getty Images 35/75 1948 British athlete John Mark carries the Olympic torch into Wembley Stadium at the opening ceremony of the 1948 Olympic Games Getty Images 36/75 1948 McDonald Bailey (number 35, centre) of Great Britain wins heat 6 of the Men's 100m event at Wembley Stadium during the London Olympics Getty Images 37/75 1948 Competitors in the men's 3000 metre steeplechase at the Olympic Games, Wembley Stadium Getty Images 38/75 1948 The start of the 1948 Olympic 800 metres final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 39/75 1952 US Air Forces from England and Germany play one another at Wembley Stadium. The Fuerstenfeldbruck Eagles are seen gaining a touchdown against the Burtonwood Bullets Getty Images 40/75 1953 Blackpool's forward Stanley Matthews (left) dribbles past Bolton's midfielder Barass during the Cup Fnal on 03r May at Wembley stadium . Blackpool won 4-3 AFP/Getty Images 41/75 1960 King George V meeting the Arsenal team before the 1960 F A Cup final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 42/75 1963 Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) parades in the ring before his fight against Henry Cooper, in front of a 55,000 spectactors, wearing a red and gold dressing gown and crown. Getty Images 43/75 1963 Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), world heavyweight champion, is floored by British boxer heavyweight champion Henry Cooper during their fight at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 44/75 1965 Crowds listen with rapt attention to American evangelist Billy Graham's sermon at Wembley Getty Images 45/75 1966 England's 'no.1 supporter' Ken Bailey can be seen amongst the crowds at the World Cup Final match between England and West Germany at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 46/75 1966 Geoff Hurst scores England's third goal against West Germany in the World Cup final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 47/75 1966 England captain Bobby Moore kissing the Jules Rimet trophy as the team celebrate winning the 1966 World Cup final against Germany at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 48/75 1968 Manchester United captain Bobby Charlton and manager Matt Busby celebrating their European Cup victory over Benfica at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 49/75 1972 A view of Wembley Stadium's twin towers from Olympic Way. Getty Images 50/75 1973 Wembley Stadium shown from the top of a 150 crane, used by the World of Sport TV camera Getty Images 51/75 1975 American motorcycle stunt rider Evel Knievel (1938 - 2007) attempts to jump 13 AEC Merlin buses at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 52/75 1975 American motorcycle stunt rider Evel Knievel (1938 - 2007) crashes on landing after jumping 13 AEC Merlin buses at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 53/75 1977 Scottish football fans, known as the Tartan Army, invading the pitch and pulling down goalposts after Scotland beat England 2-1 at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 54/75 1982 Pope John Paul II at Wembley Stadium 55/75 1981 Referee Keith Hackett reacts as Ricky Villa (c) of Spurs turns to celebrate after scoring the opening goal of the 1981 FA Cup Final Replay Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 56/75 1982 Live Aid concert PA 57/75 1988 Michael Jackson performs at Wembley 58/75 1990 American pop star Madonna performing to 74,000 fans at Wembley in 1990 wearing her famouse conical bra 59/75 1995 A general view of the supporters entering Wembley Stadium through the twin towers before the FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Everton at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 60/75 1996 A general view of Wembley Stadium, London Getty Images 61/75 1987 Denver Broncos in action during the American Bowl game against the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Getty Images 62/75 1996 Paul Gascoigne celebrates in the 'Dentists Chair' with Steve McManaman, Teddy Sherringham (obscured) and Jamie Redknapp during their 1996 European Championships group stage match against Scotland at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 63/75 2003 The last few bricks of the famous Twin Towers are knocked down during it's redevolopment Getty Images 64/75 2007 England football manager Steve McClaren watches his team lose 3-2 to Croatia in a Group E Euro 2008 Qualifying game at Wembley AFP/Getty Images 65/75 2007 Miami Dolphins cheerleaders dance during the NFL American football match between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium AFP/Getty Images 66/75 2007 An Aerial view of the new Wembley Stadium Getty Images 67/75 2011 The Bobby Moore statue outside Wembley Stadium Getty Images 68/75 2011 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona in action against Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 69/75 2011 Josep Guardiola manager of FC Barcelona is thrown in the air as Barcelona celebrate victory in UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 70/75 2015 :The arch of London's Wembley Stadium is illuminated with the colours of the French national flag in tribute to the Paris terror attacks AFP/Getty Images 71/75 2017 Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko Getty Images 72/75 2017 Anthony Joshua celebrates as Wladimir Klitschko lays on the floor during the IBF, WBA and IBO Heavyweight World Title bout at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 73/75 2017 Adele performs at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 74/75 2016 A general overview of action inside the stadium during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 75/75 2017 The Arsenal team celebrate with the FA Cup after The Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 1/75 A general view of Wembley Stadium at night Getty Images 2/75 1923 The construction of Wembley Stadium Getty Images 3/75 1923 The construction of Wembley Stadium, circa 1923. First known as the Empire Stadium, it was built for the British Empire Exhibition Getty Images 4/75 1923 An aerial view of Wembley Stadium during the 1923 FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United Getty Images 5/75 1923 Mounted policemen control the crowds overflowing onto the pitch before the FA Cup Final between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium. It was the first final to be held at Wembley, with an estimated attendance of 200,000. The game became known as the 'White Horse Final' for the actions of PC George Scorey and his white horse Billy. Bolton Wanderers won the cup with a 2-0 victory Getty Images 6/75 1923 Putting up turnstiles for the West Ham United versus Bolton Wanderers Cup Final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 7/75 1923 Crowds at the turnstiles before the FA Cup Final between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 8/75 1923 Crowds at the FA Cup Final between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers scale the walls at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 9/75 1923 Police attempt to keep crowds off the pitch before of the first FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 10/75 1923 King George V (1865 - 1936) and a huge crowd attend the first FA Cup Final to be held at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 11/75 1923 Players leap for the ball during the FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United Getty Images 12/75 1923 Groundsmen rolling the track in preparation for a British Legion rally at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 13/75 1924 Workmen strengthening the stands at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 14/75 1924 Bronco riding at a rodeo at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 15/75 circa 1924 World champion steer wrestler Buck Lucas astride his horse at a rodeo at Wembley stadium Getty Images 16/75 1925 Groundsmen mark out the touch line at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 17/75 1931 The Graf Zeppelin over Wembley stadium during a cup fina Getty Images 18/75 1932 A Post Office official testing out the phones to be installed at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 19/75 1932 Australian speedway champion Lionel Van Praag riding a motorcycle around the track at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 20/75 1934 The newly-constructed Empire Pool and Sports Arena at Wembley, next to Wembley stadium Getty Images 21/75 1936 Valuable racing greyhounds taking exercise in the grounds of Wembley Stadium Getty Images 22/75 1936 Workmen constructing the banking of the six-day cycle race track, in the car-park at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 23/75 1936 A stunt driver performs a car somersault at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 24/75 1938 A man conducts supporters' singing at Wembley Stadium before the start of a match between England and Scotland Getty Images 25/75 1938 Speedway racers at Wembley Getty Images 26/75 1938 Team Captain Gus Risman is chaired by team-mates with the trophy after Salford beat Barrow to win the Rugby League Challenge Cup at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 27/75 1939 Groundstaff at Wembley Stadium roll the pitch as part of the months of preparations for the FA Cup Final Getty Images 28/75 1942 England centre-forward Tommy Lawton heads the ball past Scotland's goalkeeper Dawson to score for England during an international match at Wembley Stadium on behalf of the Aid to Russia Fund Getty Images 29/75 1943 A baseball match between the US and Canadian Armies at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 30/75 1944 General Dwight D Eisenhower meeting the Chelsea team before the South Cup Final between Charlton Athletic and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 31/75 1947 Wembley Stadium during an international match between England and Scotland Getty Images 32/75 1948 Workmen resurfacing the track at Wembley Stadium, London, in preparation for the Olympic Games 33/75 1948 The opening day of the 14th Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 34/75 1948 A British athlete bears the Olympic Torch into the Empire Stadium at Wembley, London, and inaugurates the 1948 Olympic Games Getty Images 35/75 1948 British athlete John Mark carries the Olympic torch into Wembley Stadium at the opening ceremony of the 1948 Olympic Games Getty Images 36/75 1948 McDonald Bailey (number 35, centre) of Great Britain wins heat 6 of the Men's 100m event at Wembley Stadium during the London Olympics Getty Images 37/75 1948 Competitors in the men's 3000 metre steeplechase at the Olympic Games, Wembley Stadium Getty Images 38/75 1948 The start of the 1948 Olympic 800 metres final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 39/75 1952 US Air Forces from England and Germany play one another at Wembley Stadium. The Fuerstenfeldbruck Eagles are seen gaining a touchdown against the Burtonwood Bullets Getty Images 40/75 1953 Blackpool's forward Stanley Matthews (left) dribbles past Bolton's midfielder Barass during the Cup Fnal on 03r May at Wembley stadium . Blackpool won 4-3 AFP/Getty Images 41/75 1960 King George V meeting the Arsenal team before the 1960 F A Cup final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 42/75 1963 Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali) parades in the ring before his fight against Henry Cooper, in front of a 55,000 spectactors, wearing a red and gold dressing gown and crown. Getty Images 43/75 1963 Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), world heavyweight champion, is floored by British boxer heavyweight champion Henry Cooper during their fight at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 44/75 1965 Crowds listen with rapt attention to American evangelist Billy Graham's sermon at Wembley Getty Images 45/75 1966 England's 'no.1 supporter' Ken Bailey can be seen amongst the crowds at the World Cup Final match between England and West Germany at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 46/75 1966 Geoff Hurst scores England's third goal against West Germany in the World Cup final at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 47/75 1966 England captain Bobby Moore kissing the Jules Rimet trophy as the team celebrate winning the 1966 World Cup final against Germany at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 48/75 1968 Manchester United captain Bobby Charlton and manager Matt Busby celebrating their European Cup victory over Benfica at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 49/75 1972 A view of Wembley Stadium's twin towers from Olympic Way. Getty Images 50/75 1973 Wembley Stadium shown from the top of a 150 crane, used by the World of Sport TV camera Getty Images 51/75 1975 American motorcycle stunt rider Evel Knievel (1938 - 2007) attempts to jump 13 AEC Merlin buses at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 52/75 1975 American motorcycle stunt rider Evel Knievel (1938 - 2007) crashes on landing after jumping 13 AEC Merlin buses at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 53/75 1977 Scottish football fans, known as the Tartan Army, invading the pitch and pulling down goalposts after Scotland beat England 2-1 at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 54/75 1982 Pope John Paul II at Wembley Stadium 55/75 1981 Referee Keith Hackett reacts as Ricky Villa (c) of Spurs turns to celebrate after scoring the opening goal of the 1981 FA Cup Final Replay Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 56/75 1982 Live Aid concert PA 57/75 1988 Michael Jackson performs at Wembley 58/75 1990 American pop star Madonna performing to 74,000 fans at Wembley in 1990 wearing her famouse conical bra 59/75 1995 A general view of the supporters entering Wembley Stadium through the twin towers before the FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Everton at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 60/75 1996 A general view of Wembley Stadium, London Getty Images 61/75 1987 Denver Broncos in action during the American Bowl game against the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Getty Images 62/75 1996 Paul Gascoigne celebrates in the 'Dentists Chair' with Steve McManaman, Teddy Sherringham (obscured) and Jamie Redknapp during their 1996 European Championships group stage match against Scotland at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 63/75 2003 The last few bricks of the famous Twin Towers are knocked down during it's redevolopment Getty Images 64/75 2007 England football manager Steve McClaren watches his team lose 3-2 to Croatia in a Group E Euro 2008 Qualifying game at Wembley AFP/Getty Images 65/75 2007 Miami Dolphins cheerleaders dance during the NFL American football match between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium AFP/Getty Images 66/75 2007 An Aerial view of the new Wembley Stadium Getty Images 67/75 2011 The Bobby Moore statue outside Wembley Stadium Getty Images 68/75 2011 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona in action against Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 69/75 2011 Josep Guardiola manager of FC Barcelona is thrown in the air as Barcelona celebrate victory in UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 70/75 2015 :The arch of London's Wembley Stadium is illuminated with the colours of the French national flag in tribute to the Paris terror attacks AFP/Getty Images 71/75 2017 Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko Getty Images 72/75 2017 Anthony Joshua celebrates as Wladimir Klitschko lays on the floor during the IBF, WBA and IBO Heavyweight World Title bout at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 73/75 2017 Adele performs at Wembley Stadium Getty Images 74/75 2016 A general overview of action inside the stadium during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 75/75 2017 The Arsenal team celebrate with the FA Cup after The Emirates FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium Getty Images

A sale is also likely to result in fewer England internationals being hosted at the 92,000 capacity north London venue - particularly during the NFL season in the Autumn. However, it would not threaten Wembley’s status as the England team’s home for all major fixtures.

Mr Khan, who is estimated to be worth around $8.7 billion (£6.25 billion) is thought to have been in secret talks with Mr Glenn and a small circle of advisers for around six months. However, the idea was first mooted when Mr Glenn and Mr Khan met at the 2017 Superbowl in Houston last February.

It is believed that the funds raised will be placed in a ring-fenced fund that could pay for up to 1500 new full sized all-weather artificial pitches the length and breadth of England.

The Standard understands that Mr Glenn, who is chief executive, and other senior FA figures at the organisation see the offer from Mr Khan as a “once in a generation” opportunity to upgrade grass roots facilities.

England lags far behind other northern European nations such as Germany and Holland in the availability of playing surfaces that can be used throughout the winter.

There are around 20,000 grass pitches in England and Wales but around one in seven games due to be played on them are lost to bad weather.

The FA also believe that new owners with deep pockets would be able to spend more on maintaining and improving the stadium and could invest in new attractions such as a Hall of Fame museum.

In Pictures | Shahid Khan: Fulham FC and Jacksonville Jaguars Owner 11 show all In Pictures | Shahid Khan: Fulham FC and Jacksonville Jaguars Owner 1/11 Fulham Chairman Shahid Khan is greeted by fans in 2013 Getty Images 2/11 Getty Images 3/11 Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan links arms with players before a Jacksonville Jaguars vs Baltimore Ravens NFL match at Wembley in 2017 Action Images via Reuters 4/11 Fulham Chairman Shahid Khan celebrates after Steve Sidwell scores their team's second goal during a Barclays Premier League match vs Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in 2013 Getty Images 5/11 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan meets with Shahid Khan, owner of Fulham FC and the Jacksonville Jaguars, at his apartment in Chicago in 2016 PA 6/11 A Fulham fan meets Shahid Khan in 2013 PA 7/11 Shahid Khan holds his personalised Fulham FC Team shirt in 2013 Reuters 8/11 Shahid Khan at Craven Cottage in 2016 PA 9/11 Fulham's Owner and Chairman Shahid Khan applauds in the stands with Fulham CEO Alistair Mackintosh in 2014 PA 10/11 Fulham's chairman Shahid Khan celebrates following his team's 4-1 victory during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Fulham at Selhurst Park in 2013 Getty Images 11/11 Shahid Khan of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks on the sidelines during pregame against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2017 Getty Images 1/11 Fulham Chairman Shahid Khan is greeted by fans in 2013 Getty Images 2/11 Getty Images 3/11 Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan links arms with players before a Jacksonville Jaguars vs Baltimore Ravens NFL match at Wembley in 2017 Action Images via Reuters 4/11 Fulham Chairman Shahid Khan celebrates after Steve Sidwell scores their team's second goal during a Barclays Premier League match vs Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in 2013 Getty Images 5/11 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan meets with Shahid Khan, owner of Fulham FC and the Jacksonville Jaguars, at his apartment in Chicago in 2016 PA 6/11 A Fulham fan meets Shahid Khan in 2013 PA 7/11 Shahid Khan holds his personalised Fulham FC Team shirt in 2013 Reuters 8/11 Shahid Khan at Craven Cottage in 2016 PA 9/11 Fulham's Owner and Chairman Shahid Khan applauds in the stands with Fulham CEO Alistair Mackintosh in 2014 PA 10/11 Fulham's chairman Shahid Khan celebrates following his team's 4-1 victory during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Fulham at Selhurst Park in 2013 Getty Images 11/11 Shahid Khan of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks on the sidelines during pregame against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2017 Getty Images

The stadium, which is currently also used as Tottenham’s temporary home, was finished in 2007 at a cost of almost £800 million. It replaced the original venue - famed for its “twin towers” which was first used for the 1923 FA Cup Final and was demolished in 2003.

The FA has owned the new stadium, the largest in Britain, since its completion and still has around £150 million of debt to pay off.

Although the up-front proceeds are less than the original construction costs the FA will be able to keep the estimated £30 million to £40 million of revenue it receives each year from Club Wembley private boxes and hospitality packages. That makes the deal worth far more in the long-term to the FA.

However, any further detailed talks about a sale would have to involve public sector bodies Sport England, Department of Culture Media and Sport and the GLA, which sunk a combined £161 million in the construction of the stadium. The Treasury would also have a say on any final terms.

FA bosses are believed to see the organisation’s 10 year ownership of the country’s “national stadium” as an historic aberration that is not replicated in other major footballing nations.

An FA spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that The FA has received an offer to buy Wembley Stadium.”