Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata said the club would examine the financial implications of hosting a Premier League club before rushing into anything although dialogue has been opened with both the Cottagers and the Toffees.

Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory and Sydney FC have all been linked with an Everton friendly and now the Toffees have made contact with the New Zealanders.

Pignata told the Dominion Post: "If it suits, then definitely we'll do it. It really comes down to dollars, and how many people we'd get through the gate.

"It would be great to get teams from the English Premiership playing here, but if it's not commercially viable, we won't do it, and the exchange rates are a worry."

Phoenix suffered a commercial blow only yesterday when Sony announced they would not be extending their shirt sponsorship with Phoenix.

Managing director Martin McManus said the current financial crisis both in New Zealand and worldwide had caused the company to review its sponsorship deals and cut back on expenditure.

"With our contract coming up for renewal we reviewed our sponsorship spend, and have had to make the decision not to continue past 2009," he said.