Swansea City open talks to buy Liberty Stadium, says Swansea Council
Tuesday 10 February 2015 11:45, UK
Swansea City have opened talks to buy the Liberty Stadium, the city council has confirmed.
The Premier League club currently share the council-owned stadium with rugby union side Ospreys through a 50-year lease.
Swansea were a third-tier side when the stadium opened in 2005 but they have since established themselves in the top flight and are keen to increase the capacity of the 20,800 venue.
"Positive, exploratory discussions with the Swans have now started about selling the Liberty Stadium to them," Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart told the South Wales Evening Post.
"This would give the Swans complete control of the stadium and further support their expansion plans in future, but it's important we protect the needs of the Ospreys too."
Stewart said Swansea Council had to make savings of £81m over the next three years and the sale of the Liberty Stadium is expected to raise funds somewhere in the region of £20m to £25m.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, writing in the match programme for Saturday's 1-1 league draw with Sunderland, said the next few months "could change the way we operate forever."
"There are a lot of key decisions to make regarding the way this football club moves forward off the pitch," he said.
"Talks with Swansea Council about the ownership and running of the Liberty Stadium is top of the list, plus making sure the funding is right for us and in place to build the East Stand extension as soon as possible."
