AC Milan has released plans for a new 48,000 seat stadium to be constructed in an area of the city's trade fair grounds.

The Serie A club have made an official tender for planning permission on the land, which is being sold off and for which bids are currently being considered. The prospective new home of the Rossoneri would be "one of the most innovative stadiums in the world," according to the Italian club.

Emilio Faroldi is the architect behind the plans and he told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport how he had taken ideas from several other grounds around Europe in drawing up his blueprint for what could become Milan's new home from as early as 2018.

"[It is inspired] in particular by the Emirates Stadium in London, also by St. Jakob-Park in Basel, the new San Mames in Bilbao and the Neuchatel Xamax Stadium," said Faroldi, 53. "It has been rendered more suitable to the needs of a club like Milan... projected towards the future evolution of football.

"Stadiums are no longer only thought of as places for sporting events, but as a useful piece of local urban re-organisation."

San Siro holds over 80,000, but crowd numbers have been dwindling. Juventus has benefitted from a smaller capacity.

"Just like the English model, fans will not only be kept under control but also be given greater responsibility," plans published on their website state.

"Fewer turnstiles to gain access and less barriers between the fans and the players. However zero tolerance to those who behave inappropriately in and out of the stadium."