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How Pedro Porro turned Dream Team bosses from doubters into believers

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How Pedro Porro turned Dream Team bosses from doubters into believers - The Sun
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR conceded 89 goals in all competitions last season.

So how on earth did Pedro Porro (£5m) end up as the second-best defender in Dream Team?

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For our latest SCOUT REPORT, we’re taking a closer look at the Spaniard to understand how he defied his team’s defensive problems to become a top-tier asset.

It took Dream Team managers quite a while to accept Porro for what he was in 2024/25.

Under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, Spurs suffered several humiliating defeats in the league as opponents repeatedly took advantage of their fragile defensive unit.

As a result, gaffers developed an aversion to their defenders as most want their back line to be populated by players capable of regular clean sheets.

What many Dream Team bosses overlooked was that Porro compensated for his side’s problems with a steady stream of points through various other avenues.

While he’s not the most disciplined defender, the 25-year-old could never be accused of lacking effort; he registered 101 tackles in all competitions last term, the joint-fifth highest tally among players in his position.

An enthusiastic crosser, there are few defenders as influential in the final third.

Porro was one of just two defenders to reach double figures for assists last season - he tied with Antonee Robinson on ten.

And he was good value for that tally as he ranked third in his position for big chances created (15), just behind Lucas Digne (18) and the now departed Trent Alexander-Arnold (16).

Crucially, Porro racked up 51 bonus points, a total only bettered by Ryan Gravenberch among all assets.

His tackle count, creativity and penchant for bonus points meant he amassed 295 points when all was said and done - Daniel Munoz was the only defender to breach the 300-point mark last season.

Porro’s story is also a lesson in the importance of the additional competitions.

Spurs endured a miserable league campaign but all the additional fixtures on the road to their Europa League triumph meant the Spain international often made up for the weekend’s disappointment with healthy Thursday night returns.

Whether Porro will be able to replicate his success this coming season remains to be seen.

Points may be harder to come by in the Champions League and many gaffers will be unsure of Thomas Frank’s ability to stabilise what has been a chaotic team in recent times.

But Porro’s impressive record means he’s a player of huge interest ahead of the new campaign - he currently features in 7.1% of teams.

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Tottenham ‘ready to join transfer race for Real Madrid star Rodrygo’ and Daniel Levy could have trick up his sleeve

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Tottenham 'ready to join transfer race for Real Madrid star Rodrygo' and Daniel Levy could have trick up his sleeve - The Sun
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TOTTENHAM are reportedly ready to join the race to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

The Los Blancos winger has been linked with an exit of the LaLiga giants with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool interested.

Spurs have already spent just less than £100million this summer on the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Kato Takai.

The club have also offered £60m for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

New manager Thomas Frank was promised investment into the playing staff and that is what he is getting.

Rodrygo, 24, could be the next star that the North London club set their sights on, according to AS.

The report claims that Spurs will have to beat off competition from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

However, it is suggested that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy believes he can get a discount on Rodrygo.

Levy will try to get the Brazilian's price below £78million in order to pursue a move.

It is suggested that Levy will try to capitalise on the good relationship the club has with Real.

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Multiple players have transferred between the clubs in recent times, including Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart.

The report has stated that no formal discussions have taken place, and teams that want Rodrygo will have to "pay up".

The 33 capped international is still unsure over his future and is keen to talk to manager Xabi Alonso

Rodrygo is currently on holiday in the US following his participation in the Club World Cup with Real.

It is thought that Los Blancos are willing to cash in on Rodrygo in order to fund their own deals.

Alonso is keen on adding a new midfielder and defender to his squad.

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Furious Nottingham Forest 'want Man City to hijack Tottenham move for Morgan Gibbs-White'

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Furious Nottingham Forest 'want Man City to hijack Tottenham move for Morgan Gibbs-White' - The Sun
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NOTTINGHAM FOREST owner Evangelos Marinakis hopes Manchester City launch a rival bid Morgan Gibbs-White, according to reports.

Tottenham are interested in Gibbs-White and were set to sign him earlier this month after triggering his £60million release clause.

However, Forest halted the deal after what they claim was an 'illegal approach'.

According to talkSPORT, Marinakis wants Man City to step in the way.

Gibbs-White told Marinakis he would only leave Forest if a club of a certain level came in for him.

The Greek chief does not think Spurs fit that category, and is furious about the idea of his star man signing for them.

And he hopes Man City will come in for him instead.

Amidst all this, Forest are also interested in Man City young midfielder James McAtee.

Tottenham could of course still resurrect the transfer, depending on the outcome of the legal challenge.

Gibbs-White did not travel for Forest's pre-season in Portugal due to a "personal matter".

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His fiancee, who is heavily pregnant, posted photos from a hospital bed on Sunday night and wrote a message to other mums dealing with 'high risk pregnancies'.

Gibbs-White joined Forest from Wolves in 2022 for a club record transfer fee of £25million with another potential £17million in add-ons.

The attacking midfielder has scored 18 goals in 118 games since, as well as bagging 28 assists.

He's also won the Under-21 European Champions with England and made four appearances for England's first team in that time.

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Spurs could bring Palhinha back to Premier League as Bayern hope to cut losses - The Sun
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©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)

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Tottenham begin reinstalling iconic stadium feature after 10 years locked away in storage

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Tottenham begin reinstalling iconic stadium feature after 10 years locked away in storage - The Sun
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TOTTENHAM have announced White Hart Lane's iconic Bill Nicholson Gates will be reinstalled at their new ground.

The Premier League club aim to get the gates up at their stunning home, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, for their opening match of the new season against Burnley on August 16.

The gates are named after former Spurs player and manager Nicholson, who had a 38-year association with the club and won eight major trophies in his 16 years in charge.

Nicholson became synonymous with the gates thanks to Peter Robinson taking a photo of him holding them in the 1970s.

The gates stood until 2015, when they were placed into storage before building began on Tottenham's new stadium - but now they are set to be brought back out for use.

In a statement announcing their return, the club said: "Generations of fans, players and staff followed in Bill’s footsteps through the gates on the way to White Hart Lane and we recognise their significant cultural and historic value.

"As such, we have taken our time in finding the most appropriate location to reinstate the gates within the new stadium environs - mindful of the significant levels of construction and change the area has seen over the past decade.

"Working in close consultation with our Fan Advisory Board (FAB), we have identified a location - within PAXTON17, between the Ticket Office and historic buildings at the north of the stadium - at which the gates will be reinstated.

Club chairman Daniel Levy said the club did not want to rush deciding where to put the famous gates.

He said: “The Bill Nicholson Gates are such a significant part of our Club’s heritage and I am extremely proud they will be returning home this summer.

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“We were never going to rush into a decision as to where they should be reinstated, given the huge amount of works that have taken place in the area over recent years.

“We have undertaken a carefully-planned process, working with our architects, construction partners and Fan Advisory Board, and I believe we have found a fitting solution.

“We look forward to welcoming fans back to the stadium for the coming season - as well as Bill’s family members and former players - to see the gates and feel that close connection between our Club and its rich history."

Nicholson is the club's most decorated manager, winning the League Cup and FA Cup double in 1961.

Two years later, Spurs became the first English side to win a European title when they picked up the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

He was also a key player in Arthur Rowe’s trailblazing 1950/51 League title winning side.

Nicholson passed away at the age of 85 in 2004.

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The ten burning issues that Thomas Frank will be grilled over at his unveiling as Tottenham Hotspur's new head coach

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The ten burning issues that Thomas Frank will be grilled over at his unveiling as Tottenham Hotspur's new head coach - The Sun
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THOMAS FRANK has his unveiling as Tottenham Hotspur boss on Friday - and he is sure to be grilled on a number of hot topics.

From transfers in, to transfers out, to his upcoming Champions League campaign and becoming Daniel Levy’s 14th permanent manager, the Dane will not be short of questions to answer.

Here, SunSport takes a look at ten burning issues the 51-year-old may have to address...

TOTTENHAM looked to have pulled off a stunning coup when they surprisingly moved for Nottingham Forest and England star Morgan Gibbs-White last week.

It had been thought they had triggered a secret £60million release clause and on Friday, the 25-year-old was even expected to undergo a medical at their Hotspur Way training ground.

Then all hell broke loose.

Furious Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis cut all communication with Spurs and issued legal complaints to the North Londoners and Gibbs-White’s representatives.

Forest’s objections cited breach of confidentiality over the release clause and effectively tapping-up the player as they had not given permission to speak with him.

The fact that Gibbs-White is not a Spurs player yet raises questions over whether Tottenham have met all the conditions of the release clause.

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His move has been left in limbo with Gibbs-White training with Forest in pre-season as normal.

Frank is known to be particularly keen on the four-cap England man, admiring his dynamism in the No10 position and his versatility.

Perhaps he can shed some light on the current state of play involving the transfer.

CRISTIAN ROMERO is a World Cup winner and a massive influence in the Tottenham dressing room, especially with the South American contingent.

He struggled with injury for a lot of last season but was a huge reason why Spurs went all the way in the Europa League.

However, the Argentine made plenty of noises last season to suggest he was not entirely happy in North London.

He reposted on X a damning claim that Spurs had not put on a chartered flight for him coming back from international duty, while he also publicly criticised the club’s lack of spending compared to their rivals.

Most notable was a bombshell interview he himself had arranged late on in April where he claimed he wanted to play in La Liga one day, amid strong interest from Atletico Madrid.

Romero has two years left on his contract and Spurs will not sell the £60million-rated defender on the cheap.

Hearing Frank’s thoughts on the situation will be fascinating.

SON HEUNG-MIN is understood to be open to calling time on his decade at the club this summer.

Having finally won a trophy after all that time, there is an understandable argument that this is a good moment to go out on a high.

But whether it happens or not remains to be seen.

LAFC are very keen and Son is believed to like the idea of going to America, more so than Saudi Arabia, but a move Stateside seems unlikely right now.

A switch to anywhere seems off the cards before Tottenham’s tour to Seoul at the start of August at the very least - barring a stratospheric offer.

Son, now 33, has one year left remaining on his contract but given the commercial revenue he brings in from being a godlike figure in South Korea, Spurs certainly will not let him go cheaply.

Frank is well-stocked out wide, particularly following the £55m arrival of Mohammed Kudus, albeit his best position is more on the right side compared to Son’s left.

The Dane usually lives up to his last name in how honest he can be when speaking publicly - perhaps he will give a frank assessment over how he sees the situation surrounding his captain.

SPURS fans have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of money being spent - or trying to be spent, in Gibbs-White’s case - so far this summer.

It leads questions as to where the extra cash has come from, with talk of a significant injection from majority owners ENIC being the source.

Despite the big-money moves for Kudus and Gibbs-White, Spurs have strong interest in Yoane Wissa, the DR Congo striker who scored 19 Premier League goals for Frank at Brentford last term.

Wissa, 28, has one year left on his Bees contract and would be a savvy signing given his versatility.

Can Frank confirm that is an area he is looking to strengthen to give Dominic Solanke some much-needed competition - or is he backing Richarlison to overcome his injury problems?

FRANK may well opt not to reveal his hand over the formation he plans to employ.

But whether it is 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or 3-5-2, it is more than likely to involve three central midfielders - with two of them probably deeper-lying.

This is interesting because holding midfield has been a problem position for some time for Spurs.

First of all, given all the spending elsewhere, do Spurs have headroom to bring in a new No6?

And if not, what about the players he has there now?

The club are keen to sign Rodrigo Bentancur up to a new deal and Frank namechecked the Uruguayan in his first interview with the club, so clearly rates him.

Yves Bissouma looked to be out the door for most of last season but then played a key role in the semi-final and final of the Europa League. He only has one year left on his deal though and has been linked to Fenerbahce and Juventus.

Lucas Bergvall is likely to be a key man going forward but what about Archie Gray, the teenager Frank came close to signing at Brentford? Where will he play?

Many, many questions about the middle of the park.

SPURS are back in the Champions League but have a big squad that needs trimming.

At centre-back, for example, they currently have NINE different options if you include youngster Alfie Dorrington.

Some players will surely go, either permanently like Bryan Gil, or on loan.

Decisions will have to be made about youngsters like Luka Vuskovic, a target for Bundesliga clubs, and new Japanese signing Kota Takai. Does Frank see them as first-team ready now?

Manor Solomon has also returned from a Championship-winning loan spell at Leeds, and Frank will give him a chance in pre-season, but if the Israeli does stay, his opportunities look like they will be limited given the vast array of competition.

FIRST off, Frank will be asked for fitness updates on Spurs’ current list of crocked players.

James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin all missed the end of the season because of various issues. Fans will be eager to hear where they are in their respective recoveries.

But there may well be more scrutiny on how exactly he plans to stop Spurs being derailed by injuries, as they have been for the last two seasons.

Predecessor Ange Postecoglou was often accused of being part of the problem with his intense training and matches, but he would push back on that.

For the second summer in a row, Spurs have made big changes to their medical department, suggesting they are not happy with the results they have been seeing.

POSTECOGLOU often gave the impression he was not too fussed about set-pieces - but Frank certainly is.

Dead-ball routines were a big part of his success at Brentford and he has already hired coach Andreas Georgson to focus on set pieces.

No doubt they will look focus on a number of areas for that part of the game, and one in particular could be long throw-ins.

Footage from full-back Destiny Udogie’s Snapchat account seemed to suggest as much, with a screen in the background of one of the Italian’s posts showing ‘long throw audition’ as part of the day’s training schedule.

Can Frank confirm he is looking to go all Rory Delap?

LEVY made a bold claim earlier this summer when explaining his decisions behind sacking Postecoglou and hiring Frank.

Winning the Europa League was not enough, it is Premier League and Champions League glory that he feels Spurs should be targeting.

Given the club were revealed in February by the Deloitte Football Money League report to have had the lowest wage-to-turnover ratio in the division, is this feasible or deluded?

While paying the most does not guarantee trophies - as Manchester United have found out - there is generally a correlation between bigger wages and success.

In fairness, there was no timeframe put on Levy’s ambitious goal, and Frank will obviously not criticise his boss in public even if he thinks differently.

Still, it will be interesting to see how he reacts when that question is put to him.

IT would be understandable if Frank did.

Postecoglou may have had a nightmare league campaign - which was the justification Levy used when ruthlessly axing him in June.

But the Aussie did something no other manager has achieved in 17 years at Tottenham by winning a trophy, which is the be all and end all for a lot of fans.

He also delivered the first European success in 41 years, giving supporters memories to last a lifetime.

Frank will back himself to build on that success but are there any concerns at all now he is working for a man with a trigger-happy history?

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Former Tottenham wonderkid breaks down in tears after being ‘racially abused’ in Champions League clash

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Former Tottenham wonderkid breaks down in tears after being ‘racially abused’ in Champions League clash - The Sun
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EX-TOTTENHAM star Aramide Oteh was the victim of sickening racist abuse during a Champions League qualifier, his club have claimed.

Welsh football club The New Saints released a statement on social media condemning alleged racist abuse against Oteh by a member of the home crowd during their game against KF Shkendija.

The club's coach, Craig Harrison, also claimed the 26-year-old striker was left in tears at the abuse.

The North Macedonia-based outfit beat The New Saints 2-1 after extra time to secure an aggregate victory after a goalless first leg in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.

Now The New Saints have released a damning statement against a fan seated in the home end of the 3,000-strong crowd at the Tetovo City Stadium.

The statement read: "The New Saints FC strongly and unequivocally condemn the racist abuse directed at Aramide Oteh by a member of the home crowd following the conclusion of tonight’s UEFA Champions League first qualifying round match against KF Shkëndija.

"There is absolutely no place for racism - either in football or in society.

"Everyone at the club is offering their full support to Aramide and stand firmly by him."

"The New Saints are proud to support UEFA’s #NoToRacism campaign and remain committed to promoting equality, respect, and inclusion both on and off the pitch."

SunSport have contacted Uefa and Shkendija for comment on the matter.

Speaking after the game, Harrison added: "He is in tears - that doesn't happen for no reason.

It's clearly what's been said and done. Obviously that's unacceptable. We will be reporting that.

"For a fan to speak to anybody like that is an absolute disgrace and let's hope the culprit gets a fair punishment and is dealt with."

Oteh, originally from Lee in South London, came on as a late substitute in the clash.

Having come through the academy at Tottenham, whom he joined aged eight, he eventually left the club at the age of 18.

From there, he joined Queens Park Rangers, going on to make 17 first-team appearances and scoring once.

He went on to loan to Walsall, Bradford, Stevenage and Colchester between 2019 and 2021.

Oteh left QPR permanently in 2021 to join Salford on a short-term deal.

Crawley were next, with Oteh scoring his first goal for the club in their first-ever win over Harrogate.

In 2023, he then returned to Walsall before winding up at TNS a year later.

Defeat for the Saints means they have dropped into the qualifiers for the Conference League, where they will face Luxembourg's Differdange.

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Tottenham and Nottingham Forest locked in Morgan Gibbs-White standoff as dispute over £60m release clause explained

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Spurs and Forest locked in standoff over Gibbs-White as release clause explained - The Sun
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TOTTENHAM and Nottingham Forest are engaged in a battle of brinkmanship over Morgan Gibbs-White.

Forest issued legal complaints to Spurs and Gibbs-White’s representatives after the North Londoners thought they had triggered a £60million release clause to buy the England man.

The Tricky Trees are arguing they did not give permission to approach their talisman.

While they all cite breach of confidentiality of the release clause, given they did not tell Tottenham of its existence.

They are yet to take their formal complaint to the Premier League, who would be obliged to investigate any objection they receive.

The fact that Gibbs-White is still a Forest player raises the question as to whether all the conditions of the release clause have been met.

Some release clauses are not as simple as paying a specific figure.

For example, they can also have conditions involving the payment plan or stipulations involving who the buying club is.

Theoretically, if Spurs have not met those conditions but suddenly now do, it would add further weight to Forest’s breach of confidentiality argument, which could explain why the move is currently in limbo.

Having already sold key winger Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for £55m, Forest are not under financial pressure to sell and would prefer to keep Gibbs-White.

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They have been attempting to extend his contract for the last year, but it is understood that MGW and his representatives have thus far not been interested in entering negotiations.

Gibbs-White, 25, trained today as normal during Forest's pre-season.

The belief is that he is still likely to become a Spurs player this summer, but it is a matter of who blinks first between Forest and Tottenham.

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Destiny Udogie appears to accidentally leak new Tottenham tactic with Spurs stars 'auditioning' in pre-season

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Destiny Udogie appears to accidentally leak new Tottenham tactic with Spurs stars 'auditioning' in pre-season - The Sun
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THOMAS FRANK appears to want to add long throws to Tottenham’s armoury this season.

The Dane is a big believer in the benefits of set-piece specialisms having had great success in that area at previous club Brentford.

He has already hired a coach who will have a heavy focus in that area in former Arsenal and Manchester United staff-member Andreas Georgson.

And now defender Destiny Udogie seems to have let slip a particular demand for long throw-ins thanks to some footage he has posted on social media.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed a screen displaying the day’s training schedule in the background of the Italian’s Snapchat video.

Under the training section, there are five bullet points - the last of which reads “long throw audition”.

Brentford scored 14 of their 66 Premier League goals last term from set-pieces.

Their specialist coach in that department was Keith Andrews, who ended up succeeding Frank as head coach after the Dane left for Spurs.

Only Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest (all 17), Aston Villa (16), Brighton and Everton (both 15) netted more.

The Bees were also better than any other side at shipping goals from set-pieces.

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Brentford conceded just three - which was three better than the next-best Manchester City.

Frank also had the West Londoners focused on making fast starts from kick-offs.

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Championship club confirm plans to build £3billion, 60,000-capacity 'coliseum' stadium with key feature used by Spurs

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Championship club confirm plans to build £3billion, 60,000-capacity 'coliseum' stadium with key feature used by Spurs - The Sun
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BIRMINGHAM City have confirmed plans to build a 60,000-seater "coliseum" as their new stadium.

The new ground will be fitted with a retractable pitch - mirroring Tottenham’s hi-tech idea.

Club CEO Jeremy Dale outlined the incredible plan for the super stadium in the club’s 2024/25 annual review, with the ground set to form the centre-piece of plans to develop a multi-billion pound Sports Quarter in the east of the city.

Blues owner Tom Wagner and NFL great Tom Brady, a minority shareholder in the club, hope the plans will help them in their path to becoming one of the Premier League's big boys.

Dale said: "The centrepiece of this £3billion project is a 60,000-seat multi-purpose stadium, the like of which will not have been seen before.

“The world’s leading architects are competing for the contract to design the stadium, which will include a retractable pitch, to allow non-sporting events like concerts to take place.

“The vision is that it will become an iconic ‘sporting coliseum’, respectful of local heritage, and provide an all-year location for sport, culture, leisure, entertainment, retail and education.

“We have been on this for a year, with 75 consultants working on the project already, the master plan and business plan. It is super exciting.”

Plans for the Sports Quarter will be submitted in 2026, and if all goes well the club are hoping to have spades in the ground in 2028.

With plans to play a range of sports in the new ground, the club agreed to use a similar plan to Tottenham to allow them to use two surfaces.

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Tottenham successfully host NFL games on an artificial pitch, which slides into place. It is wheeled in in three sections, on palates moved by 168 wheels.

Birmingham’s plan could see them rival Spurs to host NFL games in the future.

Tottenham’s retractable pitch is made up of three sections, with each weighing in at 3,000-tonnes.

It has 33 turf trays on, fitted in a seamless join between segments.

The process is automatic, meaning the groundsman can call in the pitch with the touch of a button.

Birmingham were promoted back to the Championship at the first time of asking last season, finishing top of League One with a record points total of 111.

They got pre-season off to a fine start, beating LaLiga side Seville 3-1.

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