EVERTON and Derby County are the clubs battling it out for the signing of hot Bury prospect Matty Foulds, the Bury Times understands.

Sources suggest the Premier League club has tabled a cash offer for the 17-year-old defender but that Derby are willing to pay a bigger fee up front to secure his services.

The Shakers hierarchy have confirmed a Premier League and Championship club have tabled bids for Foulds.

And while chairman Stewart Day refused to reveal their identity, he said the club would not be rushed into agreeing a deal.

“We are not in a position, as maybe in the past, where we have to sell,” he said. “We will not roll over and let our bellies be tickled just because some clubs from the Premier League and Championship have come in for him.

“What we want is a deal that is right for Matty and his development, and is also the best deal possible for the future of this football club.”

It is understood negotiations are on-going, but have been complicated by technicalities as the clubs attempt to seal a deal outside the transfer window.

Manager David Flitcroft also revealed on Saturday that talks had been affected by unwanted input from agents.

“Once we understand that it is about Matty Foulds and the agents realise that it is about Matty Foulds’s future and we keep Matty Foulds at the centre of this then hopefully something will get concluded,” he said.

“People want to influence and get involved and we have got to protect Matty Foulds because he is the player in this, there is a human element to a move like this and we have really got to make sure that Matty Foulds is protected.

“There are quite a few people now wanting to get involved who have known Matty Foulds for the last two months and suddenly are his best friends.”