According to a report in UK newspaper The Observer, the break-through comes after a deal was agreed between the FA and Australian construction firm Multiplex – a firm which had hinted earlier this year the site may not be ready until 2010.
The newspaper reports the FA has agreed to stump up an extra £70m on top of the previously agreed price of £458m. But as part of a complex agreement, the governing body will immediately get £35m back as a penalty payment for the late delivery of the venue.
The original Wembley was pulled down four years and the new 90,000 state-of-the-art venue constructed in its place. But it has consistently missed deadlines for its completion – forcing the FA to extend its temporary deal to stage the FA Cup final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
An FA statement is due this week – possibly as early as today.
