The Boundary Park club may decide to remain at their 100 year old spiritual home and upgrade the old ground to bring it into the 21st Century.
Club owner Simon Blitz said: "The way things are looking, I believe we will end up staying at Boundary Park and developing the ground.
"As time goes on, it looks harder to move. Despite Oldham Council doing as much as it can to help us, it could be another five or six years before we get an answer about moving, and then it could be 'no'.
"Do we want to spend another five years waiting with the possibility the answer will be no, or do we simply move on now?
"We are in a prime spot and can redevelop a fine complex on the land we have at Boundary Park. We are still weighing up many options and in 12 months time should have a clearer picture of what will happen.
"We may do like Preston and build one new stand at a time. That may well end up being the best option. I am not embarrassed to say it could take us two-and-a-half years to make a decision.
"There is no rush as Latics have been at Boundary Park for 100 years this season, and will be here another 100 years."
The news will be welcomed by many Athletic fans who believe that traditions should be maintained and the Latics should stay at Boundary Park.
First on the agenda would be to replace the Lookers Stand with a five or six thousand seater stand complete with new facilities.
It would mean having to sell off several acres of land for housing, and the added incentive is that a £15 million mortgage would not be needed.
The original plans had an opt-out clause that made it null and void without planning permission, so no compensation will be required.