Everton face Harrison Armstrong call: Birmingham, Derby, & Middlesbrough must react if they do | OneFootball

Birmingham City, Derby County, and Middlesbrough must be on alert in case Everton allows Harrison Armstrong to leave the club this summer

Everton have a big decision to make on the immediate future of one of their most talented young prospects, namely Harrison Armstrong, as FLW names three clubs that should be on alert if he becomes available this summer.

Armstrong, 19, over the last couple of years, has emerged as one of Everton's most outstanding young prospects.

The midfielder would spend the second half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan with Derby County, making 15 appearances under John Eustace and scoring once in a crucial away victory at Plymouth Argyle.

He'd then spend the first half of last season on loan with Preston North End, where he again impressed, scoring once and assisting once in 17 appearances at Deepdale, before being recalled in the January window to provide another option in the middle of the park for David Moyes after Idrissa Gana Gueye headed to AFCON with Senegal.

Alan Nixon has previously reported via his Patreon that Armstrong could move abroad on loan this summer, as with Everton having confirmed the addition of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, the 19-year-old's minutes are not guaranteed on Merseyside next season, as FLW has taken a look at three Championship clubs that should be on alert in case he becomes available over the coming weeks,

Birmingham City

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Birmingham City are one of the most ambitious clubs in the EFL, backed by the joint ownership of Tom Wagner and Tom Brady.

The Blues romped to the League One title in 2025, and although they would fall short of the Championship play-offs last time around, their over £50 million outlay on new additions over the past couple of years is a testament to their ambition.

So far this summer, each of Jhon Solis, Dael Fry, Luis Vazquez, James Beadle, and Kristoffer Lund Hansen have arrived in the Second City to reinforce Chris Davies' side, though more are expected.

Solis joins on a permanent deal from Girona for around £6 million after a successful loan spell last season, providing competition to Tomoki Iwata, Seung-Ho Paik, and Marc Leonard in the middle of the park, although the latter has been linked with a move away before the deadline on September 1.

Another option in that area would therefore surely be a necessity for Davies, as the former Leicester City assistant coach should target Armstrong as a priority.

Not only would the England youth international provide strong competition for Solis, Iwata, and Paik, he could very well provide an immediate upgrade in that area, with his aggression only matched by Solis and his technical ability matched only by Paik.

As a loan, he comes with few risks and high upside, as Davies should look to push Birmingham to the front of the queue for his signature if he becomes available.

Derby County

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A player Derby fans will know well, Armstrong made quite the impression during his brief stint at Pride Park, so much so that the Rams were interested in re-signing Armstrong last summer prior to his late switch to Preston.

Derby head coach John Eustace tends to sign players he has worked with previously, having already done so twice this summer alone, with Bobby Clark and Sammie Szmodics returning to the club permanently after their loan spells, whilst Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh remains the subject of interest from the Rams.

Ozoh is not guaranteed to return to Pride Park this summer, as Eustace should seek alternative options just in case, with Armstrong being a perfect option otherwise.

With a similar frame and as technically gifted, if not more than Ozoh, Armstrong would walk into the current Rams midfield, likely alongside Lewis Travis.

Liam Thompson has recently left to join Mansfield Town, whilst Kenzo Goudmijn's future at the club is far from guaranteed after spending last season on loan with Go Ahead Eagles, leaving just Oscar Fraulo as the only other option for Eustace at this stage.

With Eustace preferring to sign players he knows he can trust, Armstrong would fall into that category, in a move that would be a win-win for all parties involved.

Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough are contenders for the best transfer window of the summer if things pan out the way they hope.

Although the departure of Hackney to Everton for around £24 million will be a huge blow for Kim Hellberg's side, they haven't wasted any time feeling sorry for themselves, with each of Myles Peart-Harris, Kyle Joseph, Will Lankshear, Sebastian Berhalter, and Max Arfsten making their way to Teesside.

A deal for Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek appears to be close to being completed, whilst they are in advanced negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over a permanent deal for centre-back Ashley Phillips.

Whilst Berhalter will go some way to replacing Hackney, rekindling his past relationship with USMNT teammate Aidan Morris, another option is a necessity, with Alan Browne and Alex Gilbert having both left the club.

Having already struck up a relationship with Everton over a deal for Hackney, Boro ought to be in close contact with the Toffees in case Armstrong becomes available in the coming weeks.

As a more physical option, and one that can help Boro maintain a push for automatic promotion, Armstrong would be an incredible addition for Hellberg's side.