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Swansea City are preparing to buy the Liberty Stadium, WalesOnline understands.

The Swans, boosted by finances from their ongoing stay in the Premier League, are thought to have explored opportunities of a deal to take the ownership away from the local council and into the club’s hands.

And it could open the door for further expansion of the current 20,800 venue – as well as potentially new lucrative naming rights.

The Swans moved into the Liberty 10 years ago this summer after 93 years at the Vetch Field, the local Swansea Council owning the ground with the football club and regional rugby outfit the Ospreys joint-tenants.

The Swans were in the third-tier of English football when they began life in the all-seater stadium – which cost a reported £27m to build at the time.

But their fortunes have changed dramatically since that time with the club now able to consider proposals to purchase the stadium outright putting them in a greater position for future naming-rights deals, currently held by Liberty Properties.

It could also ease any issues regarding external funding over expansion with the removal of their tenant status. Swansea City have already received planning permission for initial work to increase the capacity.

It is not clear how much the deal would cost but with council budgets being slashed across the UK and the club’s finances in a healthy state, it is likely a deal to suit both parties could be struck with payments stretched over a number of years.

However, with the club having already committed to developing training grounds for the first team and academy, as well as funding transfers and a top-flight wage bill, there will be no rush to press ahead with any purchase unless it makes financial sense.

There is not thought to be any timescale attached to the club’s plans and a move may not be immediate, but at the very least the notion is thought to have been discussed between Swansea City’s board members with a consensus that they should take the opportunity.

Famous grounds that have changed name for sponsorship purposes: