January 22 – The prospect of Swansea City buying the Liberty Stadium, which they have shared with the Ospreys rugby team since 2005, from the current owners, Swansea City Council, have increased with the club saying they would welcome discussions on a sale.
News that Swansea’s management is exploring the possibilities of a deal comes as the club sits in ninth place in the Premier League with several thousand fans on the season ticket waiting list, planning permission for an increase in stadium capacity to 33,000 in place and rumours of US investment in the club having gone quiet since November.
Swansea moved to the Liberty stadium, which currently has just a 20,800 capacity, after the old Vetch Field ground (which had a record attendance of 33,000) fell into disrepair and when the club was ensconced in the third tier of football.
A purchase of the stadium is expected to cost £20-25 million, which could be phased over several years.
Swansea Council spokesperson commented: “No formal talks have taken place with the Swans but we’d welcome such a discussion, if approached. Any potential sale of the Liberty Stadium in future would need to realise best value and also provide for the best interests of the Ospreys as the stadium’s other users.”
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