A get-together was being held in London between board members and sport minister Richard Caborn as Planning went to press. Everton wants to share Stanley Park, Liverpool's proposed 60,000-seat stadium.
The cost of the approved arena is said to have risen from £80 million to over £100 million. But Liverpool is expected to reject ground sharing after manager Rafael Benitez condemned such arrangements last week.
Everton's plans for a 55,000-seat stadium in King's Dock fell through last year due to a lack of funding. The Northwest Development Agency has offered both clubs additional funding if they agree to share.
