Bramley Moore Dock is the proposed site of Everton’s new stadium

Everton appear increasingly likely to pursue private finance to fund the building of a £500 million new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey with the state-of-the-art arena unlikely to open before 2023-24.

A planning application is set to be submitted in the second half of 2019 with a three-year build mapping out the timescale for the project at Bramley Moore Dock.

It comes with public consultation into the proposals, which would regenerate north Liverpool and create a community-led legacy at their existing Goodison Park home, set to begin in November.

Everton have been offered a deal to pay for a chunk of the venture, which would see Liverpool City Council apply for a £220 million loan from the government’s Public Works Loan Board.