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Everton are in talks with a number of investors over funding for the club's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The Blues will need close to half a billion pounds to build a new ground on the waterfront and a deal with Liverpool City Council, for the loan of around £280m, is on the table.

But Everton are looking at their options in the private sector and this week's move by Farhad Moshiri, to increase his stake in the club to 68.6%, is expected to make it easier for the club to borrow money from investors and institutions.

It is understood talks with several groups, over the "complex" funding for a new stadium on the banks of the Mersey, have taken place as part of a global search for finance.

(Image: Colin Lane / Liverpool Echo)

Everton have yet to make a decision on the capacity of their new home but say they are carrying out "feasibility studies" and are talking with "industry experts" before settling on a figure.

The Blues are committed to submitting a planning application as soon as possible while it is understood the club's target remains to have the stadium ready for the start of the 2022-23 season.

Colin Chong, the recently appointed Stadium Development Director, has provided an update on the new Blues' home and has addressed capacity, funding, consultation and the Goodison Park legacy project among other areas.

On funding, Chong said:

"Understandably, a lot has also been said about funding.

"Like all developments of this size and nature, the funding is complex.

"We have a number of options available to us.

"Liverpool City Council is one of those options and there are other opportunities we are exploring too.

"Any deal we do will be the best deal for Everton Football Club."

On capacity

"With regards to capacity, we are carrying out feasibility studies and have surveyed our fans.

"We are working with industry experts to assess what the optimum capacity should be and, so far, a final number has not been determined.

"It is important we get this right and there are a multitude of factors we need to take into consideration, such as planning, size, mass, the look and feel of a stadium set in Bramley-Moore Dock.

"It is a lot more complex than just picking a number that feels right."

On a planning application

"The planning application will be submitted at the earliest opportunity and will be complete and thorough.

"It will be a full planning application and, therefore, we need to make sure that everything in it is absolutely correct.

"This too is a complex process. We’re reliant on third-parties and a lot of the work simply can’t be rushed."

On consultation

"This scheme is, of course, very close to the heart of all Evertonians – and your input has been absolutely vital and will continue to be so.

"Consultation is critical to the whole process. The feedback we have had to our Key Principles survey and the fan workshops has been really valuable and we will build on this by carrying out more sessions for both the new stadium and our plans for Goodison, which will include consulting extensively with those living close to our current home.

"This will be essential to help us get everything about our new stadium right and indeed our legacy plans for Goodison Park.

"We want to deliver something that Evertonians will be proud of for generations to come and the simplest little questions can help inform strategic decisions."

He added: "Moving forward, we will be doing more engagement with all stakeholders, including our supporters.

"We will also be issuing a travel survey that will be going out in the next few weeks and publishing a project website that will keep everybody informed on our progress."

Chong was appointed to the role a month ago will report directly to the club's deputy chairman Keith Harris, who has assumed overall responsibility for delivering a new stadium.

The construction industry specialist will be based at Everton's new offices in the Liver Buildings and has explained his new job, saying: "The question I have been asked most often from people outside the club in the month since being appointed into my new role has been “what does a Stadium Development Director do?”

"The answer is fairly simple - I am responsible for the delivery process of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and, along with that, the Goodison Legacy Project – it’s an exciting and complex role as we look to bring together what will be an exciting and historic development not just for Everton but for the city of Liverpool."

Chong is understood to have beaten off competition from around the country to land the position and said of his credentials: "I’ve been involved in construction-related projects for more than 35 years, mainly around new stadium development or redevelopment of existing grounds, and have experience which includes the Commonwealth Games stadium in Manchester, Manchester United quadrants project, the JJB Stadium and, of course, major developments at Goodison Park.

"I have also delivered other major construction projects, including retail and hospital developments."

Crucial to the planning process for a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is the club's legacy project in L4, with Chong adding: "We are all focused on delivering a very special stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock but it is also important to emphasise the importance of the legacy project at Goodison Park as part of the whole project.

"As fans will know, Liverpool 4 is one of the most deprived areas in the UK.

"By moving to a new stadium, we believe we have a real opportunity to leave a legacy which can help regenerate this area for generations to come.

"Our ‘Goodison Campus’ already includes the Everton Free School and Sixth Form College, the People’s Hub, the Blue Base and our plans for the People’s Place – a permanent mental health facility on Spellow Lane.

"Through the redevelopment of the current Goodison site we have the opportunity to expand on the work Everton in the Community already delivers in Liverpool 4."