Derby County & Blackburn Rovers set to be hampered in Everton summer transfer pursuit | OneFootball

David Moyes wants to assess whether Harrison Armstrong is ready for first-team football at Everton.

Derby County and Blackburn Rovers are keen on taking Everton’s exciting young midfielder Harrison Armstrong on loan next season, Toffees boss David Moyes is set to either delay or scupper those plans.

The 18-year-old has starred during a loan stint with the Rams in the second half of the season, and he is attracting more interest ahead of 2025-26.

As it turns out though, Armstrong may not be available whatsoever come the summer, with David Moyes set to make a big decision on his short-term future.

David Moyes set to run rule over Harrison Armstrong in blow to Derby County & Blackburn Rovers

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Derby boss John Eustace wants to re-sign Armstrong after his successful Pride Park spell, but Blackburn Rovers are also keen on his signature, having wanted him in January too.

However, Nixon claims that Moyes is keen to assess whether Armstrong is ready to play a role within the first-team squad in their first season at their new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock, having received positive reviews over the course of his loan spell at County.

If the youngster can sufficiently impress Moyes during pre-season, then the likelihood is that he won’t be heading out on loan next term, in what would be a blow to both Derby and Blackburn.

After hauling Everton away from the relegation battle in the latter half of the season, Moyes is expected to be well-backed by the club’s owners, the Friedkin Group, this summer, in a bid to have them looking further up the table next term.

However, Moyes has spoken previously about his desire to establish a young, British core at the club, and utilising the academy will surely be central to those plans, with Armstrong a graduate of that system.

Derby County and Blackburn Rovers will be hoping Everton strengthen externally to free up Harrison Armstrong

Given how successful Armstrong’s loan spell has been at Derby this season, it is no surprise that Championship clubs are interested in taking him once again next term.

The youngster became a regular in the midfield for John Eustace’s Rams, starting 12 games in the latter stages of the season as the East Midlands outfit turned their fortunes around to secure survival in the second-tier for another season.

The loanee even popped up with a crucial goal in Derby’s 3-2 victory at relegation rivals Plymouth Argyle, a win which ultimately proved to be decisive in terms of the Rams’ survival.

With his performances this season, Armstrong will likely be capable of playing an even more important role for a Championship side next term, starting week in, week out if he's able to go out on loan.

While Rovers are also interested, after such a successful stint at Derby, Eustace would surely be in pole position to regain his services if the midfielder is available for loan once again.

Armstrong revealed recently that he would definitely be interested in returning to Pride Park next season and, although Blackburn enjoyed a significantly stronger season this time around, there is optimism that Eustace can have Derby competing further up the table next term.

Both clubs then will be hoping that Everton's new American ownership backs Moyes in the transfer market with new midfield additions, which would enhance Blackburn and Derby's chances of an Armstrong loan agreement.