The sale of Barnet FC's former home Underhill stadium has "not yet been completed".

Club chairman Anthony Kleanthous announced last month the site, where the Bees played for 106 years, had been sold to the Education Funding Agency, with plans underway for a new school.

But a Freedom of Information request by the Times Series reveals the purchase has “not yet been completed”, although contracts have been exchanged.

In its response, The Department for Education said details of how much it plans to pay remain “commercially sensitive” until the sale was complete.

Although it noted the public interest in the transparency of public money, it argued there remained a strong interest in maintaining “strong bargaining positions during negotiations.”

It added: “Releasing certain information about costs and conditions may give other parties an advantage in future negotiations.

“This would be likely to have the effect of undermining a key objective of the free school programme – providing more high quality school places at better value to the taxpayer.”

It added the arguments for and against release had been considered, and “it is our view that the balance of public interest falls in favour” of keeping the information exempt.

In a statement last month, Barnet FC chairman Anthony Kleanthous said: “Barnet will of course always be our true and traditional home, and it goes without saying that everybody connected with the club will always hold dear the countless memories that we have from the unforgettable years at Underhill."