Everton have opened talks about expanding their new stadium footprint.
The club will officially move into their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock from the start of next season but are setting their sights on more ambitious plans.
But owners The Friedkin Group are eyeing further expansion of the Blues’ footprint by entering into discussions for the neighbouring Nelson Dock.
Interim chief executive Colin Chong revealed at the MIPIM property conference in the south of France this week that talks are underway.
He said: “There was always an idea that we might be able to develop a complementary development to support the stadium’s development.
“Our new ownership has tasked me with looking for a sports-led redevelopment that could be accommodated on Nelson Dock, and maybe even further if we can get the right partners to invest.
“We are currently going through a fact-finding mission, carrying out surveys, and hopefully we will have some information back in the next month or two.”
He added: “Our owners are very keen to secure Nelson Dock because they believe they’ll do something good with it regardless – that’s their mindset, which is a breath of fresh air.
“If I was given a wish list, that would be on the top of it, secure Nelson Dock and protect the asset that we’ve just developed.”
Chong also hinted that proposals for Everton Women to relocate to Goodison Park are being explored as the WSL outfit aim to continue their evolution.
He added: “We have no plans to demolish – we don’t have to straight away.
“We’re leaving a Premier League-fit stadium, it’s just not big enough for Everton’s growth plans.
“But it’s more than adequate to see women’s football through, probably for the next 10 or 15 years.
“There are heritage assets at Goodison Park that we’d like to reclaim and there are some parts that the local fan base would like to retain themselves.”