getting job with eye to transfter to the US - advice

Hi all,
I am considering relocating back to the US and in so doing found a job in Chicago I'm quite keen on and ready to apply for. I've just discovered the exact same role exists here in London, and was curious what I should do. I'd rather not go into specifics, but it is quite literally the exact same job for a global company that has offices in Chicago, NY, and London.  I see these as my options and was wondering if anyone has experience/advice in this realm:

1) Apply for the job in Chicago
2) Apply for same job in London and tell them at outset I want to transfer to Chicago
3) Apply for London job, wait a few months before mentioning I want to move to Chicago

Thanks in advance!

I would go for 1.  I don't think it would make sense to apply for the job in London and tell them at the outset (or in 3 months) that you actually want to work in Chicago.  They are likely hiring for the London office and probably wouldn't be too happy if you really have no desire to work in that office. 

I would go for 1.  I don't think it would make sense to apply for the job in London and tell them at the outset (or in 3 months) that you actually want to work in Chicago.  They are likely hiring for the London office and probably wouldn't be too happy if you really have no desire to work in that office. 

Agreed.

Number 2 & 3 would drive me insane. We have an LA office as well, and the number of people who say they want to transfer to LA at interview is huge, it's actively off putting as we want people who are committed to our office and want to put in, not take out.

We don't work like that really, for the most part we can hire people in LA, we only transfer over there if there are very specific skills needed that can't be found or for a promotion, even if they have the same role in another office, the cost/effort of relocation is seldom worth it and we certainly wouldn't do it just because people want it.

Is there any particular reason you need to stay in the UK or is it more of a you'd like to move back to the US eventually but aren't sure about doing it right now?  I think if it's the second one, it's a bit unfair on an employer who thinks they are hiring for a certain office, for you to then say you would prefer to move to the US within the next year.

In case that didn't make sense, if you are wanting to move in the next year, 18 months or two years and have no particular need to stay in the UK, why not just apply for the Chicago job?  If the move to the US is more of a 'I think possibly I want to go back there eventually but I don't know when or if' then it's not putting the company in such a difficult position if you do apply for the UK job.  Does that make any more sense?