Everton outbid Swans for Rory

Rory Donnelly: To decide on his future after Everton outbid Swansea for the Cliftonville striker

Cliftonville have confirmed that Everton's bid to sign Rory Donnelly is 'considerably higher' than Swansea City's offer for the striker.

Swansea agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £100,000, for Donnelly last week and the teenager has visited the Premier League club in recent days.

However, Everton and Liverpool are also interested in the 19-year-old and Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Cliftonville have backtracked on their agreement.

The Northern Irish club's chairman Gerard Lawlor says he is protecting his team's interests after accepting the offer from Everton.

Major difference

Lawlor said in the South Wales Evening Post: "Everton's bid is considerably higher than Swansea's. There is a major difference in the bids. They are miles apart.

"My job is to do the best thing for Cliftonville. It's not all about money, it's a great opportunity for Rory."

Cliftonville manager Tommy Breslin is expecting a transfer to be finalised before the club face Crusaders on Boxing Day.

Breslin said: "Rory said that he was impressed by Swansea and by what Brendan Rodgers had to say.

"He said the facilities were good and that there was a great team spirit with no egos. The Northern Irish link with Brendan probably helped too.

"We expect the deal to be completed. We've got a fixture on Boxing Day and I'm planning for it without Rory.

"It will be a massive step for Rory but he will benefit from the full-time training. It's certainly a big chance for him."