Inside Harrison Armstrong's deadline day transfer as David Moyes talks and Everton stance revealed

Harrison Armstrong joined Preston North End on loan from Everton on transfer deadline day

Harrison Armstrong continued his impressive start to the season when he netted inside the opening minute for England under-19s against the Netherlands. The goal came just a couple of days after the Everton youngster came off the bench to score a late equaliser for Will Antwi’s side against Spain.

Armstrong also has Premier League experience this season, coming on as a substitute for Jack Grealish in the win over Brighton & Hove Albion. He also produced a man-of-the-match display in the Carabao Cup win over Mansfield Town days later.

And then on deadline day he joined Preston North End on a season-long loan.

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Armstrong spent the second half of last season on loan at Derby County, for whom he scored one goal in 15 appearances, but the move was anything but plain sailing for the youngster.

Taking up the story of the day to the Lancashire Evening Post, North End CEO, Peter Ridsdale, revealed how the deal went down to the wire and also hinged on Merlin Rohl making his move to Hill Dickinson Stadium from SC Freiburg on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy.

“Well, it was stressful in the sense that we managed to get Harrison over the line with 23 minutes to go,” said Ridsdale.

“It was as much, could Everton get somebody in? It was also a lot of internal discussions at Everton as to whether they really were prepared to let him out.

“So, it's always up against the clock. Obviously, the clock was earlier this year than normal because it was seven o'clock.”

The former Leeds United chief then continued: “Well, I spoke to David Moyes last week and he said he hadn't made his mind up whether to let him out.

“We'd obviously been speaking, with Everton’s permission, to the player and there were about six clubs who wanted him.

“So, there were two challenges. The first of which is, would they let him out? The second is, could we get to the top of the list were they to let him out?

“It became clear on Sunday, assuming you believe everything you've been told, that he decided on us if he was to be let out, which was great for us.

“But literally, up to six o'clock on Monday night, there were some people we were talking to inside Everton Football Club who were saying, ‘We don't think he should be coming out; he should be playing for us’.

“So, that's a testament to the lad and to his qualities. The fact we managed to get him, I think we're over the moon and having subsequently spoken to him... I mean, it was complicated because he's away with England Under-19s.

“We had to get him out of a swimming pool in Spain to Docusign the transfer agreement. He says he's very excited at the opportunity, which is fantastic because, for a lad who is in and around their first team to say he's very excited about joining us, I think, is a compliment to us. And to Paul, because Paul obviously spoke to him and persuaded him how he wanted him to play.”

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