Everton have “firmed up the likely structure” of how they plan to finance a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
And deputy chairman Keith Harris has reiterated that the proposed capacity of 52,000, with the potential for that to increase by a further 10,000, remains “subject to further consultation”.
Writing in today's matchday programme ahead of the game with Leicester City, Harris says the club have held detailed talks over funding options with a number of potential lenders for the £500m project on the waterfront.
“You can have the most brilliant design in the world but you can’t get away from the fact that you need the money to do it!” Harris said.
“In terms of institutions we have spoken to about funding and all of them viewing the project positively, I can say we have a significant level of comfort that the project is financeable.
“We’ve done a lot of work on how the deal will be financed and have actually firmed up the likely structure of the deal.
“We have put together an information memorandum and discussed in great detail with a number of potential funders. We’re confident in terms of the position we are in. The finance will not be triggered until planning has been granted but this project is an attractive investment and we are in a good place with it.”
What Marco Silva thinks of Everton's proposed stadium capacity
Last month, the club revealed their proposals over capacity but Harris says there remains potential for that to change with safe standing another factor which needs to be taken into account.
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“It’s important to reiterate this is what we are working towards,” he added.
"It’s a proposed capacity at this stage, which will be subject to further consultation and engagement, and the potential is there for expansion.
“We will have a degree of flexibility during a possible period of discussion on safe standing.
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“This is a really significant option to have in the future.
“We want to be able to reproduce and even enhance as much of the Goodison atmosphere as possible in the new stadium.
“Of course, there is still much work to be done.
“This will not only establish a new home for the club in an iconic setting on the Liverpool waterfront, it will provide a regenerative boost for the entire city region and a legacy at Goodison that we can all be proud of. So we are all very focused on a project the scale and ambition of which can most certainly be characterised as huge for the club.”
Bramley-Moore proposed capacity revealed
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This summer, Harris was given the deputy chair role and assigned as the board member responsible for delivering a new stadium.
And he has confirmed that during the club's second stage of public consultation in the summer, designs of the stadium will be shown for the first time.
“Yes, a lot of work has gone into design and, of course, it is continuing to be honed,” Harris said.
“The site itself is fantastic, but we have challenges.
“The fact that the stadium is being built on a dock is an obvious one, along with infrastructure and transportation links.
"But the end result – next to the Mersey, glowing in the northern part of the docks, the culture and some of the historical legacy of Everton stamped upon it – will be incredible. We’re all very enthused by this.
"I’ve seen stadia all over the world, I’ve been involved in many stadium projects, including Wembley, and I think I can say with complete confidence and conviction that I haven’t seen anything that will look as good as this will. It will truly be something that will inspire.”