Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has made it clear the club would push forward with plans to expand their traditional ground after securing a third season back in the Premier League.

With the Whites embarking on their third campaign back in the top flight, it looks like the club is edging closer to confirming plans that would see Elland Road given its much-needed development.

Expansion The Goal For Leeds Hierarchy

With Leeds selling out even their League Cup encounter with League One side Barnsley earlier this season, it’s clear the club need to increase their capacity at Elland Road. If Leeds is realistic in their goal of being involved in the Champions League odds once again, they need a stadium that matches the club’s ambition. At present, a brand new stadium has been dismissed and the Leeds hierarchy is looking at expanding their current ground in the Beeston area of the city.

While the East Stand is the most recent to have been built at Elland Road, the club is still eager to redevelop that at some stage. However, the most pressing area to address is the old West Stand which is in real need of development. Leeds is hoping to expand Elland Road to a capacity of 55,000 and building a new West Stand would go a long way to achieving this goal.

The club’s chief executive Angus Kinnear has stated the club would look to build a new stand over the top of the existing one, which would cause as little disruption as possible to attendances during the building process. The club are determined to make sure that while they are developing the ground, the gate receipts are not affected in the potential seasons ahead.

Leeds Eager Not To Fall Behind

It is an exciting time in the Premier League when it comes to new stadiums and the development of old ones. Everton has a brand new stadium in the works on Merseyside, while Leicester City is pushing forward with plans to expand their home at the King Power Stadium. Fulham has developed a new stand, while Nottingham Forest is also in the process of increasing capacity at the City Ground. With Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford also moving to new homes, Leeds can’t afford to be left behind.

Expanding the capacity at Elland Road would make a big difference to the revenue Leeds could make in a season. Ambitious owner Radrizzani has revealed that if Leeds could get their 55,000-capacity stadium completed, that would see the club move into between eighth and 10th in the league for the amount of revenue produced. That in turn would help Leeds finance recruitment and bring in the quality of players they will need to challenge for those converted European places.

After the drama of avoiding relegation on the final day of last season, Leeds appears to be heading to more settled waters. With stability comes progress and the Whites will be hoping that a new-look Elland Road can take this traditional club to the next level.