Saracens’ chief executive says the rugby club may remain at Vicarage Road beyond this season despite admitting they have spoken to up to 40 different organisations about a possible move away from Watford.

The Men in Black will leave Watford next summer unless a new lease is agreed after the Hornets activated a break clause in the two clubs’ agreement in May.

Saracens have made no secret about the fact they are exploring the possibility of moving away from Watford but chief executive Edward Griffiths claims the Aviva Premiership side could still stay at Vicarage Road.

Griffiths said: “Staying at Watford is certainly still an option and key to that would be how we can develop the East Stand in a viable manner with the football club.

“We have excellent contact and communications with Watford and that is something we are looking at on an ongoing basis.”

Saracens have been linked with moves to the likes of Queens Park Rangers’ Loftus Road, Fulham’s Craven Cottage and the new Olympic Stadium in recent months.

The latest potential venue to be linked with Sarries is Copthall Stadium, a dilapidated athletics ground in Barnet which is currently used by Kentish Town FC, who are planning to develop a nearby stadium with Hampstead FC.

When asked about a possible move to Copthall, Griffiths said: “We have had discussions over the past two years with lots of people about lots of stadiums. We have always said that as soon as these discussions come anywhere near a formal level then we will move forward.

“At the moment, to provide a commentary on all of our contact with stadium owners would be difficult – it is a long list.”

When pressed further, Griffiths added: “There are a whole range of options that we are looking at. There are probably 30 or 40 various bodies we have spoken to in the past two years.

“As soon as we reach anything approaching a formal level then we will be clear about that.”

Barnet FC had plans to develop a 10,000-seater stadium at Copthall thrown out by a government planning inspector in 2001 after fierce opposition from local residents.

But in a statement released this week, leader of Barnet Council, Lynne Hillan, said: “Copthall Stadium has long needed investment and it would be foolish of us not to discuss any proposal that would develop a much-loved facility and support and enhance community use."

Hendon MP Matthew Offord added: “I would certainly welcome investment into Copthall, it’s not been invested in for many years. I would be interested to see what comes out of it.

“I am concerned there’s not any overdevelopment on the site, but I look forward to the proposals that emerge with Saracens.”

In the summer, Griffiths confirmed there were five possible venues being considered by Saracens.

“It is a pretty fluid situation,” the chief executive said when asked how many different venues the rugby club were now considering.

“There are some that are at a more advanced stage than others but I have seen horse races won by a horse at the back of the field that comes through with a late sprint.”

However, Griffiths has ruled out a permanent move to Wembley or the new Olympic Stadium.

“Wembley is a football stadium first and foremost, so the idea or playing 16 matches there would be unrealistic,” he said.

“With the Olympic Stadium, we just feel that with the athletics track, you would be so far from the action that it would be difficult to generate atmosphere.

“It is simply that the lay-out of the Olympic Stadium, we believe, would make it difficult for a team sport. Now I know West Ham United are looking at the Olympic Stadium but they would have a larger stadium than we require so they may be able to solve the atmosphere issue by having a large stadium.”

In the last week Griffiths also stated the club were “looking for a stadium that’s smaller to be our home, where we can develop some kind of scarcity” and play some of the bigger matches at Wembley.

Saracens currently pay Watford £489,000 a year to play at Vicarage Road, which the football club believe is insufficient.

Had the Hornets not activated the break clause then Saracens could have remained at Watford’s ground until 2017 paying the same amount.

Watford set Saracens a deadline of September 3 to inform them if they would be leaving Vicarage Road but there is still no confirmation more than a month-and-a-half later.

Griffiths rejected suggestions Saracens were stalling, saying: “I would like to make an announcement tomorrow but you can’t force these things and this is going to be a decision which will be absolutely critical to the future of the club.

“We are not wasting time. Every day we are having various meetings and discussions about various options and as soon as we get to a point where we can announce something then we will.

“I would think we will have a decision by the end of the year,” Griffiths continued. “We are aware of the time lines but I do not think we have a problem here.

“We have a number of excellent options and it is just a question of choosing the most excellent one for Saracens.”