Birmingham City’s stadium plans will not be dependent on whether the club is promoted to the Premier League.

That is according to football finance specialist Dr. Dan Plumley, who has privately told Football Insider that he believes the plans may be realized.

Birmingham wants to build a new stadium with a seating capacity of 62,000 to replace their current St Andrew’s stadium, which seats little more than 29,000.

Birmingham’s new stadium might cost £2 billion, and houses and hotels are also planned for the site.

Birmingham owners must be ‘committed’ to stadium proposal.

Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, believes Birmingham does not need to be promoted to the Premier League to move forward with the idea.

“So from what I can see on this one, I think the affordability point is going to come down massively to the ownership group,” Plumley informed the crowd.

“And whether they choose to arrange it, whether they put the money in, whether there are investment raises, whether there are partners that come on board, as Manchester United has mentioned, we need investors to come in and assist us cover the capital costs.

“So, in that aspect, it is viable since the owning group is promoting it and is quite optimistic about it. If you have the connections to make it happen. So, regardless of whether the owners are devoted to the project, I believe it is financially viable.

“Therefore, it is not dependent on promotion to the Premier League. But, in order to reap the full benefits of the stadium, I believe they will focus on that.

“So, again, it is a long-term strategy. But they don’t need to get to the Premier League to propel the stadium project. “I believe that will come from the ownership group.”