Everton’s late Harrison Armstrong transfer plan emerges
Everton have a plan in place for how they will manage Harrison Armstrong’s future in the final stages of the January transfer window.
Armstrong is tipped to have a huge future ahead of him at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and he has even featured in the Premier League of late, after spending the first months of the season out on loan.
Preston fans were fuming when Everton opted to cut that loan spell short at the start of January, but it was viewed as a necessity by the Toffees, given the injury crisis that they were suffering at the time.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tim Iroegbunam have been sidelined through injury of late, and with Idrissa Gana Gueye having also been away at AFCON, midfield options have been thin on the ground for David Moyes.
Harrison Armstrong to earn Everton stay
Dewsbury-Hall is now on the verge of returning for Everton as he nears the end of his recovery process, and that will provide increased competition for Armstrong once again.
The 19-year-old has started in each of the Merseysiders’ last three games in all competitions, with Moyes showing strong faith in the youngster after some rave reviews from his time with Preston.
Armstrong quickly became a key player for the Championship promotion hopefuls, as he started 13 league games for them in the first half of the season.
Everton left the possibility of Armstrong returning to Preston open when they recalled him a few weeks ago, but that now looks set to be off the table, despite the returning reinforcements for Moyes.
The young midfielder is now expected to stay with Everton beyond the 2 February transfer deadline, rather than return to his previous loan club, according to Everton insider The Bobble on X.
It is understood that the starlet has made a positive impression on Moyes, who clearly feels that he is capable of continuing to provide a useful option in the Premier League.
Everton eye move for fellow England youth international at right-back
Armstrong currently represents England at U19 level, and the Toffees are now lining up a move for a fellow England youth international to strenghthen their hand at right-back.
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider on Thursday that Everton are chasing a move for Brooke Norton-Cuffy, before the end of the January window, as they finally look to address a position that has caused them several problems in recent months.
Newcastle and West Ham have also been linked with the 22-year-old, who was part of Lee Carsley’s U21 squad that tasted European Championship glory last summer.
Armstrong is currently the jewel in the crown of a promising group of youngsters at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and they could be about to add another to that group in Norton-Cuffy.