It's no surprise West Brom are 'fuming' with Everton miss - Derby County fans will know why | OneFootball

The Baggies are right to be furious that they missed out on a deal to sign Harrison Armstrong, who would have added a lot to their midfield.

West Brom have made a positive start to the 2025-26 Championship campaign under Ryan Mason, but it's fair to say there were some ups and downs in the transfer window that has just closed.

The Baggies are unbeaten after their opening four games, securing three victories and a controversial draw as the Black Country outfit aims to maintain their spot in the automatic promotion places.

Despite still being hamstrung by financial issues, Albion were shrewd in the summer transfer market, with a number of players arriving off the back of the big-money sales of Torbjorn Heggem and Tom Fellows to Bologna and Southampton respectively.

Albion brought in a total of nine players that involved recruiting Nat Phillips and Chris Mepham, who have both started well and are expected to play massive roles in a promotion push for the Baggies.

On deadline day, West Brom utilised the loan market to bring in two new signings, with attacker Samuel Iling-Junior arriving from Aston Villa, while Charlie Taylor will also spend the season at The Hawthorns after linking up from Championship rivals Southampton.

But it has been revealed that West Brom were left “furious” after missing out on a late loan deal for Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong.

The talented 18-year-old eventually sealed a loan move in the second-tier to Preston North End, deeply frustrating West Brom as they were looking for an additional midfielder to be stocked up well in that area to take on the relentless nature of the division.

Derby County fans will be the best people to understand the Baggies’ frustrations, after the English starlet was so impressive during his short time at Pride Park.

Harrison Armstrong had a huge impact on loan at Derby County last season

Harrison Armstrong embarked on his maiden Championship season when linking up at Derby County back on transfer deadline day in February, and he was an instant hit with the Rams faithful at Pride Park.

After featuring from the bench in three of his opening four league outings, Armstrong then slotted into the first-team setup, using his fearlessness and raw talent to make a name for himself in the Championship.

From matchday 35 onwards, Armstrong started every game for Derby through to the end of the campaign as they secured safety under John Eustace, with Armstrong being utilised as either a defensive midfielder or slightly more advanced in a central midfield position.

In 15 appearances, Armstrong registered his first and only goal in a narrow 3-2 victory away at Plymouth Argyle with a cool side-footed volley - a goal and result that was vital to securing their second-tier safety by taking points off a relegation rival.

As per FotMob, Armstrong recorded 57 recoveries, 23 interceptions, winning 72% of his tackles, as well as registering just shy of 70% pass accuracy.

With 504 touches in the heart of midfield, Armstrong was a figure who was desperate to get on the ball and make a difference, as well as possessing hard-working characteristics to be a physical presence in midfield and ensure the back-line was protected as much as possible.

Given Harrison Armstrong’s impressive Championship figures last season, the midfielder would have been a brilliant asset to West Brom, complimenting the arrival of fellow young talent Toby Collyer.

While Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby are the preferred duo in midfield to begin the campaign, Albion will need younger and fresher legs to rotate when the hectic scheduling rolls round, particularly if they are to avoid last season’s repeat of fading away for a play-off place during the final run-in.

The arrival of Armstrong would have also benefited Ousmane Diakite to move away from the club and secure regular minutes during the prime of his career, giving both Collyer and Armstrong the chances to push Mowatt and Molumby all the way for starting spots and showcase what they are all about at this level.

Clubs in the Championship have benefited immensely by having young talent on their books that have been able to flourish at this level, and bringing Armstrong in would have created a fine balance in midfield of having equal amounts of experience and youth, two key factors that give the club the best chance of tasting success this term.

While the preferred deal didn’t materialise, there shouldn’t be much doom and gloom about it. This outcome could fuel the fire back in Diakite’s belly to come back and prove that he can be a major player in Ryan Mason’s plans, while the Baggies faithful will still get to enjoy the talents of Collyer once he settles into the group, who is already viewed as one of the future stars for Manchester United in the years to come.