The mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, launches his idea to renovate the stadium of San Siro, providing Inter and AC Milan a shared facility in line with new technologies and with commercial structures for the two clubs in the areas adjacent to the plant.
Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the first citizen of Milan has also said to be willing to explore a possible sale of the stadium to the two clubs given a “serious offer.” Alternatively, the City of Milan could “renew the agreement with the clubs in a long-term perspective” to make the investments, needed to modernize the stadium, more sustainable. Investments that, according to Sala, would be less than €100 million.
The mayor also sent a message to AC Milan who is currently working on the transition of ownership from Fininvest – Berlusconi family to the Chinese consortium of Sino-Europe.
“I understand AC Milan’s situation, although it is not clear to me, let’s wait and see how it evolves. We can wait a few months, but then the council would have a duty to act and, therefore, it would discuss directly with Inter.”
New San Siro, the idea of Mayor Sala
But what is Sala’s idea all about? “The stadium, in my mind,” says the mayor of Milan, “would be split with an outdoor area for Inter and one for AC Milan.”
“There are two usable areas: one adjacent to the horse track that today could finally be used, although it would require a private contract with SNAI, and the other space on the opposite side, on municipally owned land. These areas would function as a lounge, hotels, restaurants, and store,” says Sala.
“Thinking about the possible project we can imagine dividing the stadium in two. The Inter dressing room on one side and AC Milan’s on the other. Authorities’ grandstands and Sky boxes on both sides and two separate entrances. Inter and AC Milan would have half stadium each. In this way, explained the mayor, “there would be a customization system for the two clubs, which are now forced to work in a precarious environment changing the layout every week and sharing the same space. We, as an administration, can facilitate the planning processes to give dignity to this area, while maintaining a sporty vocation. ”
New San Siro: Suning is ready, waiting for AC Milan
The plan could gain momentum after the transfer of ownership of AC Milan from Fininvest to Sino-Europe. The new owners of Inter, the Chinese group Suning, with which Sala (he never denied to be an Inter fan) has already met at the end of Inter-Juventus, is ready to sit down to do some business.
“Zhang Jindong is a serious and solid entrepreneur that is down to earth. I’m sure the black-and-blues’ property will invest significantly in Inter and the territory as well. Suning’s managers like San Siro, appreciate the charm, the history, and its iconic stretch that is “sellable” around the world. I talked with them even after Inter-Juventus and there is maximum flexibility in order to invest on the system, but they are still waiting to see what will happen with AC Milan. ”
About San Siro, Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli’s number one had his say: “If they will agree to develop the stadium in an ideal way, San Siro can become a great opportunity for the city of Milan, AC Milan, and Inter.” “I think the stadium of San Siro is the most beautiful in the world, but that’s because I have been going there for more than 60 years.” Tronchetti Provera concluded in reference to Sala’s proposal about the stadium.
