AC Milan "could be playing in a new 42,000-seater stadium" by '20 after plans to leave the San Siro "reportedly moved a step closer to becoming reality," according to Ben Gladwell of ESPN. La Gazzetta dello Sport said that "former trade fair grounds had been identified as a suitable site and an offer made to the current owners, Fondazione Fiera Milano, with a favourable response expected." Fondazione Fiera Milano will announce the identity of its preferred bidder on Jan. 15 and, "should all go according to plan for the club," work could begin in '16 with the new ground -- less than a mile from its current one -- completed by '20. The project has been "made possible by Milan's recently-agreed sponsorship agreement with Emirates, who could secure naming rights for the new venue." The current plans are for a 42,000-seat ground with the fans "closer to the pitch than at the San Siro." Local construction rules mean the stadium "will have to be sunk 15
metres into the ground to ensure its height does not exceed that of the
surrounding tower blocks, which include Milan's new club headquarters" (ESPN, 12/11).
