Leeds director warns expansion is now or 'never'

Lowy said the "stars are aligned" for the stadium expansion to progress and that stakeholders - including the government - need to deliver on infrastructure projects as part of a "masterplan" for the "regeneration of south Leeds".

BBC Radio Leeds reported on 20 January that Lowy meet with Chancellor Rachel Reeves to discuss funding a light rail system from Leeds station to White Rose including a stop at Elland Road.

Reeves - who has been the MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, formerly Leeds West, since 2010 - said recently the investment from LFG can "create jobs, unlock opportunities and bring more people into the local economy".

"The football club is managed properly. The football club has the capital to do the expansion," Lowy said.

"If the government can actually allocate the capital, and build the infrastructure [then] we could raise and invest somewhere between a billion and two billion pounds on that side.

"If we can work with the government and they can move in a reasonable time period for government, we can invest the capital and build."

Lowy acknowledged building work had yet to begin but said he was "confident we can get there" and was keen to "push" the government.

"We are doing all the pre-work with the city, just like we did on the stadium, for a masterplan for the area, and last week Leeds Council approved a masterplan that we've been working with them on," he added.

"We have the ability, if the transportation system is there, to build 2,500 housing units, maybe 200,000 square feet of offices, local retail, fresh food markets.

"What we need is the political class to get its act together. We don't get any pushback from government at the moment but they need to get aligned and get their job done."