Everton have deal agreed for player out on loanDoncaster CEO on permanent switch for GrantEverton have an agreement with Doncaster Rovers over the potential sale of Conor Grant the League Two club’s chief executive has revealed.
The Yorkshire side can make midfielder’s loan switch from Goodison into a permanent deal this summer if the 21-year-old wants to make the move.
Rovers reportedly had a bid for a permanent move accepted for Grant by the Blues prior to the January transfer window but the Fazakerley-born player remained keen to prove himself worthy of a place higher up the football pyramid and opted for a loan instead.
Doncaster – currently top of the table by three points – believe winning promotion to League One could tempt Grant to make the switch, particularly due to the club’s strong ambitions for a return to the Championship.
Their CEO Gavin Baldwin told the Free Press: “The finances are informally agreed.
“It would be structured over 12 months. There would be cash up front, cash after 12 months and other incentives such as promotion bonuses, win bonuses and sell-on clauses built into it.
“Everton are protecting themselves but it also means it’s more affordable for us.
“Buying players from Premier League clubs is not cheap so if we can spread the cash, and back ourselves to do well and get good crowds, that pays for the deal and gives us some time to do it.”
Grant, who was previously on loan at Doncaster last season between the end of October and mid-March, was farmed out to Ipswich Town earlier in the current campaign before returning to the Keepmoat Stadium.
Baldwin added: “Conor is a really sensible, good lad. He’s honest with us.
“He is adamant, and I support him on this, that he doesn’t see himself as permanently a League Two player.
“But if he comes here and helps us get to League One, that’s an entirely different conversation and one he would then welcome.
“Conor has high expectations and why not? He’s a quality player that proves himself.
“Now he’s got to prove himself to Darren Ferguson by the end of the season and we’ve almost got to prove ourselves to him as well.
“We want to do well, he wants to do well. Hopefully it’s a marriage that ends up in League One.”
Liv Echo
