NAPOLI are set to give the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona a mega-money makeover.
The Serie A giants, who are eyeing a summer move for Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile, have had major redevelopment plans approved.
Napoli are set to give Stadio Diego Armando Maradona a new look Credit: Getty
The Serie A giants plan to ditch the athletics track separating fans from the action Credit: Comune di Napoli
It comes after Chelsea fans highlighted safety issues when they headed to Napoli in the Champions League last season.
And the Italian heavyweights’ 54,732-seater home will look unrecognisable after the £171million renovation is complete.
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The athletics track separating the action from the raucous fans is set to be ditched as part of the proposal.
Napoli, who bagged their fourth Serie A crown last year, also want to extend the second tier and have the seating just seven metres from the edge of the pitch.
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The third tier will also be reopened after being off limits to supporters due to safety concerns.
Structural vibrations could be felt when fans were celebrating, leading to changes needing to be made.
But having fans back in those areas could allow the capacity at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona – which was renamed in honour of the Argentine legend in 2020 – to increase to in the region of 65,000.
Initial preparatory work has already begun and is expected to move into a more advanced stage in the autumn.
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Stadio Diego Armando Maradona could have an increased capacity Credit: Comune di Napoli
But Napoli, fresh from seeing Antonio Conte quit as their boss at the end of last term, are desperate not to stray too far from how the arena looked when it first opened in 1959.
The eye-catching renovation, which includes new VIP boxes and hospitality areas, is on course to take place in stages.
It means Napoli, who are preparing for another season of Champions League action, will not have to leave their home while upgrades are made.
And the project was given the green light after a proposal was submitted by Mayor Gaetano Manfredi and infrastructure councillor Edoardo Cosenza.
Napoli have hosted showdowns in the arena since 1959 Credit: Getty
The top tier is on course to be reopened as part of the plans Credit: Getty
The majority of the building work is expected to get underway after Italian host cities for Euro 2032 have been selected.
But city and regional authorities insist Stadio Diego Armando Maradona will be revamped even if it is not in line to stage showdowns during the tournament.
