Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is closing in on a decision on its new London headquarters, with the firm set to move out of its Fleet Street base by 2021.

On Friday, the London Evening Standard reported that the firm has chosen to take space at 100 Bishopsgate, a 37-floor tower being built by Canadian developer Brookfield, but partners said that a final decision had not yet been made.

One Freshfields partner said: "We are not quite there yet," adding, "but we may well end up there."

Freshfields' Fleet Street lease expires in 2021 and the firm began looking at new options earlier this year, alongside property agents Cushman & Wakefield. Other options understood to be under consideration include the development at 60-70 St Mary Axe, dubbed the 'Can of Ham' due to its shape.

A partner at the firm said: "We would have loved to have stayed [at Fleet Street] because it's such a great location. Unfortunately, for logistical reasons this won't be possible as the building is in need of complete redevelopment, and moving well over 1,000 people isn't something we want to do twice."

Freshfields launched a base in Manchester last year to cover back-office functions and handle some low cost legal work. It is set to move to a new location in Manchester in 2017, with 80,000 sq ft of offices at One New Bailey giving the firm space for 700 employees.

The firm is also opening a low cost hub in Vancouver later this year, with the plan to initially recruit 25-30 paralegals for launch.

Freshfields declined to comment.