Doncaster Rovers had agreed a deal with Everton for the midfielder’s transfer.
Conor Grant of Doncaster Rovers in action
Doncaster Rovers have confirmed via their official website they will not pursue a permanent deal for Everton midfielder Conor Grant.
Grant made 21 appearances while on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium, helping Rovers to promotion from League Two with a goal and three assists since his January arrival.
Doncaster had already reached an agreement with Everton for the player’s transfer, manager Darren Ferguson told the Thorne Gazette last month.
And the Scot had expected to complete formalities in the aftermath of the Yorkshire side’s success.
Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Ferguson
“The boy wouldn’t commit to us at the time which I understand because he wasn’t sure whether we’d go up or not,” Ferguson said at the time.
“Now we’ve gone up, I think that’ll be a conversation with me, Gavin Baldwin [the Rovers chief executive] and his agent to discuss the personal stuff.”
However, a statement on Doncaster’s website on Tuesday read: “Conor Grant has returned to parent club Everton after his loan expired, and Rovers will not pursue a permanent move at this time.”
Conor Grant in friendly action for Everton
Fazakerley-born Grant came through the ranks at Everton, where he remains under contract until 2018.
However, the 22-year-old is still awaiting his first competitive appearance for the Toffees, who have loaned him out to Motherwell, Ipswich Town and Rovers (twice).
It remains to be seen whether the decision was Doncaster, Grant or even Everton’s doing, although Baldwin said in February, as quoted by the Doncaster Free Press: “Conor has high expectations and why not? 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.”
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