Exclusive: Southampton Set to Pursue Loan for Harrison Armstrong as Everton Weigh Teen’s Future

Southampton are monitoring Everton's stance on Harrison Armstrong heading into the final days of the transfer window, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Saints are looking for a central midfielder to fill the void left by Tyler Dibling, who moved to the blue side of the Mersey divide for £35million earlier this week. 

And bosses at the south coast club have put promising talent Armstrong at the top of their list and hope their recent dealings with Everton chiefs put them to the front of the line. 

But Everton boss David Moyes is yet to make a decision on whether Armstrong will be a regular part of his first team plans this season or be allowed to go out on loan. 

It is understood there are a number of Championship clubs queuing up for the promising 18-year-old.

Headache for Moyes

Armstrong has been tipped as a star for the future and showed Moyes what he is capable of with two assists during the EFL Cup victory against Mansfield Town on Wednesday night. 

Derby County are interested in having the talented teenager back to Pride Park after he impressed at the club last season, whilst Preston North End have also been linked with a move despite a number of midfield options already at Paul Heckingbottom’s disposal.

Blackburn Rovers and Hull City are also reportedly keen on adding the upstart to their ranks. 

It is believed that Everton would almost certainly allow the player to move on loan to a Premier League club if he was offered regular first-team football. 

Speaking after the win against Mansfield, Moyes said: “Harrison, for his age, done really well tonight, played well, so yeah there is a couple of options we’ve got for Harrison. We’ll decide over the next few days what we’re doing to do.”

During his six-month stint at Derby, Armstrong made 15 appearances and scored a stunning goal against Plymouth Argyle.