Chelsea Football Club has today submitted a bid to buy the 39-acre Battersea Power Station site.

The club, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, said the site has the potential to become "one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world".

It has made the bid, for an undisclosed amount, in association with its property development partner Almacantar.

Today is the deadline for bids for the power station, which is on the open market for the first time in its very chequered history.

If successful, the club is promising to create a 60,000 seat stadium while retaining the unique backdrop of the power station, retaining the chimneys and wash towers and restoring the Grade 11* listed turbine hall and control room.

It is also promising to make a massive investment in shops, homes and offices as well as helping to fund the Northern Line extension from Kennington- something that the planning authority for the site, Wandsworth Council, said it would be looking for from whoever becomes the successful bidder.

A statement on its website said: "We are not the only interested parties and there is no certainty that we will be successful. We also appreciate that we have many significant hurdles to address if we are to build a new stadium on the site, including winning the support of our fans, the CPO shareholders and local Wandsworth residents, as well as securing the approval of Wandsworth Council, the Greater London Authority and heritage authorities.

"We must also stress that making an offer for the Battersea Power Station site does not mean the club has made a definitive decision to leave Stamford Bridge.

Following feedback from fans, our initial plans include a 15,000-all seated one-tier stand behind the south goal, likely to be the biggest one-tier stand in football. Also as suggested by many fans, the stadium proposed is rectangular in shape with four separate stands. The design includes a bigger family area and more room for disabled supporters.

"As well as a new home for our club, the development would include a town centre with substantial street-level retail shops, affordable housing and offices - all of which would benefit Wandsworth and bring a significant number of permanent jobs to the area. We would also make a significant contribution towards the Northern Line extension."

It is likely that the amount Chelsea is offering exceeds the £1 offered by the Battersea Power Station Community Group (BPSC), earlier this week. It wants the power station turned into a public development to include museums and stage concerts.

Last year Wandsworth Council secured planning permission for a £5 billion development including homes, offices, a hotel, retail and leisure facilities.

The proposals were put forward by former owner Treasury Holdings but the scheme collapsed at the end of last year.

The company is now suing the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) over the decision to bring in the receivers.

It claims it could have earned £400m in management fees from the Battersea project over a 15 year period.

The outcome of that legal battle could have an impact on any new plans to develop the site.

The Battersea landmark has been vacant since it was decommissioned in 1983.