Smart Move

Spurs have caused controversy with a surprise bid to move into the Olympic stadium after 2012.

Only last night the club were given the green light by councillors to build a new £400 million ground at White Hart Lane, but the Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, announced today the club have teamed up with O2 owner AEG to mount a joint offer for the 80 000 seat athletics venue in Stratford.  He said:

“It is only prudent and good management that we ensure that we investigate all possible options for the club. We were told were we not to register an interest at this time, there would not be an opportunity at any future date.

We've always maintained we wouldn't undertake any project that could undermine the overall financial stability and future success of the club. This shall remain our guiding principle going forward and in determining our best option in the interests of the club and all our fans and stakeholders.”

Spurs' offer is being seen as a tactical “back-up” to use in ongoing negotiations with the local authority and other bodies, and in case the required £250 million funding for the plans for a 56,000 capacity ground at White Hart Lane fall through.