Details of the deal are just emerging, but it seems that if Tesco gets the go-ahead for a massive new retail development for the site in Kirkby, then it will not only contribute £50 million to the stadium development, but will ensure that its chosen contractor builds a stadium to the value of £75 million for that £50 million.

In Liverpool it is already being dubbed "the development deal of the century", but local politicians are far from happy at what is seen as an inducement for the club to leave its Goodison home and move from Liverpool to nearby Knowsley.

Liverpool Council Leader Warren Bradley, said the council remained confident that the city could find a site in North Liverpool to tempt Everton FC to stay.

“I am waiting for the period of exclusivity to end. I think that they will announce in the next couple of days that the exclusivity deal has been lifted," he said.

“I am confident that there are two or three sites that will see Everton remaining in the city. I don’t believe that Goodison can’t be redeveloped.”

He said Liverpool had attracted investors and he didn’t see why Everton could not.

Everton FC have now announced that they will ballot over 30,000 fans about the proposed move.