We want to secure our own destiny and develop our ground as we see fit Colin Graves

The ground is believed to have a price tag of upwards of �12 million, and YCCC would much prefer to own the ground rather than continue their lease.

Chief executive Colin Graves told BBC Sport: "The loan would be very good from my point of view.

"We've been trying to buy the ground for around three years now."

The Yorkshire Evening Post claims a multimillion-pound loan is being seriously considered by councillors.

Leeds council leader Mark Harris told the newspaper: "The issue we have to address is how - at nil cost to council tax payers - we can help secure Test matches at Headingley."

The newspaper quotes a study by Sheffield Hallam University which claims international cricket boosts the Yorkshire economy by �4.25m a year and also increases Leeds' international profile.

January: Tykes slam owners for bid failure

But Headingley could lose the right to stage international matches if Yorkshire cannot buy it up.

The ground is currently owned by the Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company and it is understood that Yorkshire have until the end of December to buy the ground.

Graves added: "We want to secure our own destiny and develop our ground as we see fit."

Yorkshire's previous attempts to raise funds to buy the ground fell several million pounds short of the necessary target.