Milan Mayor Beppe Sala is ready to ‘sell’ the Stadio Meazza to Inter and Milan, but the stadium’s refurbishment will cost circa €300m.
Sala met Milan President Paolo Scaroni and Inter’s Corporate CEO Alessandro Antonello on Friday morning to discuss plans to refurbish the Stadio Meazza in San Siro. The meeting was also attended by Massimo Ferrari, CEO of WeBuild, a company that will prepare a project to redevelop the legendary stadium.
Sala provided a significant update during an interview with reporters on Friday afternoon, revealing that the city council is ready to sell the Stadio Meazza to the Milanese sides.
“For the good of the clubs and the city council, we could find a formula to immediately sell it [the stadium] to the clubs through a permanent sale or a building lease,” said Sala, as quoted by Gazzetta.
It is indeed big news for Milan and Inter, who are already working on alternative projects to build their stadiums. Inter have identified an area in Rozzano where their new stadium could be built, while Milan are planning to move to San Donato.
However, if they accept to buy San Siro, they’ll have a club-owned stadium ready and would need circa €300m to redevelop it.
“The atmosphere around the table was positive and now we have to work. The clubs confirmed they will provide the documents with their requests in a few days,” continued Sala.
“Of course, I don’t expect them to put alternative projects on hold because it would make no sense. At the same time, it is evident that if WeBuild offers us an adequate project that matches the requirements, I’ll expect an answer from the clubs.”
A previous project from Arco Associati highlighted that the refurbishment could take up to two years to complete. However, with work carried out during the summer, Inter and Milan can regularly play at San Siro during the season.
Sala added that work could start in 2025 if Milan and Inter agreed to buy the stadium, and June would be a “key month.”
But how long will it take to complete the redevelopment?
“It’s just my feeling, but I would say a couple of years if they work during summer months over three 24-hour shifts” Sala replied. “They [WeBuild] are convinced they can make it.”
Gazzetta said Inter and Milan will send their requests in three weeks. They are expected to demand more VIP seats and redeveloped elevators, bathrooms, lounges outside the stadium and commercial spaces.
The pink paper claims the cost would be €300m to share between the two clubs if they eventually decide to buy the Stadio Meazza. According to the report, clubs will be more likely to give the green light if they are guaranteed to play regularly at San Siro from 2025.