New Camp Nou to cost €1,200m?

Barcelona’s directors have reportedly been told construction of a new Camp Nou may cost around €1,200m, as the local university throws plans into doubt.

This week club spokesman Toni Freixa confirmed Barca’s intention to make a decision at board level in January over whether or not to renovate the current stadium, or to build a new one.

On from this, Vice-President Javier Faus commented on how costs on either project would be more expensive that 2010’s estimated figures of €300m for the remodelling and €600m for the new stadium.

Mundo Deportivo report that whilst Faus was not forthcoming on specific costs in public, he has made figures available to directors at Monday’s latest board meeting.

The Catalan publication have it on the authority of ‘several sources’ that proposed renovation works on the current Camp Nou would cost between €500m and €600m, and that construction of a new ground would cost as much as €1,200m, according to experts consulted by the board.

The rise in these costs is explained in part down to plans from the club to also develop further the land adjoining the ground, which with both projects would need capital to purchase it.

Barca directors were also apparently told that construction of a new Camp Nou would take four years, with particular focus over the summer and winter breaks, whilst initial sketches of the proposed projects show that a renovated Camp Nou or a newly-built one will look the same.

Meanwhile, the university that currently owns land Barcelona are hoping to purchase as part of their work has issued a statement denying having held any talks with the club and made clear that it does not intend to sell any land.

“With regard to the stories that have been reported in recent weeks about the new movement of the FC Barcelona stadium, and what took place at the board meeting on Monday, the Universitat de Barcelona asks not to be included in this debate,” Universitat de Barcelona stated today.

“The position of UB remains the same as expressed in its last communication of March 15, 2012.

“In the case that FC Barcelona expressed its interest in any part of the university, the rectorate would tell them the position of UB on this question.”

Tags Camp Nou Universitat de Barcelona
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