MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly set to spend £300million on boosting the Etihad’s capacity to 61,000.
The home of the current Premier League champs currently holds 53,400 seats.
But Pep Guardiola’s side are ready to overhaul the second tier of their north stand to add an extra 7,700 places.
That would take the Etihad up to a grand total of 61,000.
And it would see City close the gap on Man United’s 74,000 capacity at Old Trafford.
The Mail says City are now looking to gain planning permission after holding consultation talks with fans and local residents.
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If successful, work will start as soon as November.
And City hope to have their stadium expansion completed for the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
It would see the Etihad reach the same size as Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham’s stadiums.
And it will also match the 61,000 mark set to be hit by Liverpool’s redevelopment of Anfield.
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City have hired architectural firm Populous for the job following their work at Tottenham’s new arena.
But City are also plotting to boost the land around their stadium with a new hotel, megastore, museum and fan park.
It’s all expected to be finished around a year after the stadium redevelopment.
And it will take City’s spending on their infrastructure to £1billion.
The club say “the construction period would be carefully planned around the football season to minimise the potential for disruption.”
City reckon that 2,600 jobs will be created, with locals getting priority.
Fans are also hoping for the addition of new bars and restaurants, as well as improved Metrolink transport.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
