Doncaster Rovers chief executive Gavin Baldwin reveals a deal is in place with Everton for Conor Grant

A deal is in place for Doncaster Rovers to sign Conor Grant from Everton in the summer - IF the midfielder wants to make the move.
Conor GrantConor Grant
Conor Grant

Rovers had a bid for a permanent move accepted for Grant by Everton prior to the January transfer window.

But the 21-year-old remained keen to prove himself worthy of a place higher up the football pyramid and opted for a loan instead.

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Rovers 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.

And an agreement has been reached with Everton should he make that choice.

“The finances are informally agreed,” chief executive Gavin Baldwin told the Free Press.

“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.

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“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 has settled in well after last month returning to the Keepmoat, where he spent four months on loan last summer.

Baldwin says the prospect of securing Grant on a permanent deal is another incentive for securing promotion to League One.

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He said: “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.

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“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.”

Rovers boss Ferguson is confident promotion would see Grant make the switch and also tempt back fellow loanees Jordan Houghton and Niall Mason.

He said: “Jordan has just signed a new contract with Chelsea and I know he’s happy there.

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“His next natural progression would be to go on loan to a League One club.

“If we get promoted I would feel we would have a chance with those three.

“I would be optimistic with that, given how well they’ve done here and how much they’ve enjoyed it.”