Tottenham have moved a step closer to a major redevelopment of White Hart Lane by opening talks aimed at becoming temporary tenants at Wembley.
Spurs are determined to cement a permanent place in the Champions League over the next few seasons but are fully aware the 36,000 capacity at their High Road home is just not big enough to pull in the revenue needed to back their ambitious project.
The club wants to rebuild the Lane in instalments with the major additions being to the West Stand, East Stand and Paxton Road sections of the ground.
New facilities will include restaurants and a museum and shops and businesses on the High Road and behind the north end of the ground have already been bought up and are ready for demolition as soon as final agreements about the building work are signed.
There will eventually be enough room for more than 50,000 fans to watch Martin Jol's team in action - and with 23,000 current season ticket holders, 20,000 more on the waiting list and a burgeoning membership scheme, there should not be any problems in filling all the seats on a regular basis.
Key to work beginning on White Hart Lane is the redevelopment of the Northumberland Park rail station and an extension to underground services on the Victoria line.
But it is believed Tottenham, in partnership with Haringey Council, have successfully petitioned Transport for London and that the work will go ahead.
Spurs believe moving to the lavish new Wembley is the best way to overcome the difficulties presented by the major reconstruction works.
They have ruled out groundsharing with neighbours Ars*nal at the Emirates Stadium, even though it is nearer to White Hart Lane and easier for most of their supporters to travel to.
The redevelopment work could start as early as next year meaning Spurs would move to Wembley for the 2008/2009 campaign.
And if all goes to plan, it will be a major feather in the cap of dynamic Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who has already turned round the club's fortunes on the pitch with his strong boardroom leadership.
A Tottenham source said: "There has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes for a couple of years now and the club are hope their plans will soon come to fruition."
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