Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has appointed premium experiences company Legends and Canadian real estate firm Colliers to assess its stadium options, according to multiple reports.
The latest development was first reported by French newspaper L’Équipe, before later also being covered by domestic news agency AFP. L’Équipe said Legends will study alternative solutions to PSG’s current home, the Parc des Princes, with Colliers working more specifically on the search for new sites.
When contacted by TheStadiumBusiness.com, Legends offered no comment on the reports, but they come amid growing tensions between PSG and the City of Paris over the club’s stadium situation.
The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, last month ramped up the rhetoric surrounding PSG’s long-term future at the Parc des Princes, whilst rubbishing suggestions that the Stade de France could be an alternative home for the Ligue 1 football club.
Hidalgo’s latest comments came after PSG threatened to leave the Parc des Princes after the Mayor insisted earlier in January that the stadium is not for sale. PSG has played at Parc des Princes since 1974 but the club is currently restricted by its 48,000 capacity.
PSG has spent €85m (£75.6m/$91.4m) in renovation work on Parc des Princes in recent years, and has further committed €500m to improve and expand the stadium, increasing capacity from 48,000 to in excess of 60,000. However, PSG will only provide this funding if it owns the stadium.
Hidalgo has said the City would prefer to discuss a potential renegotiation of PSG’s lease deal. The current 30-year agreement commenced in 2014. PSG has long been exploring its options and the matter returned to the headlines in November as it emerged that the club may look to acquire the Stade de France or switch to one of two new sites in the city if it is unable to complete a deal to purchase the Parc des Princes.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi later said that demands made by the City of Paris are pushing the club out of the stadium. The venue is owned by the City Council of Paris and Al-Khelaïfi has grown frustrated over the lack of movement regarding talks over the stadium.
Legends International and Populous are currently leading a team tasked with creating a masterplan for the redevelopment of Old Trafford, the home of English Premier League club Manchester United.
In December, Legends partnered with FC Barcelona to market VIP boxes and seats at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, while it also has a wide-ranging deal with Real Madrid to optimise the management of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
