New Everton transfer update hands Preston North End big boost in Harrison Armstrong chase | OneFootball

Preston North End are expected to benefit in their pursuit of Harrison Armstrong, amid Everton's move for Freiburg midfielder Merlin Rohl.

With time running out in the summer transfer window, Preston North End could be set for a major boost in their pursuit of Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong, with the Toffees keen on Freiburg midfielder Merlin Rohl.

Preston have started the 2025/26 campaign well, with Paul Heckingbottom overseeing a major revamp of the Lancastrians’ squad, having managed to avoid relegation on the final day of last season.

Several experienced first-teamers were let go from their contracts earlier this summer, such as Patrick Bauer, Ryan Ledson and Freddie Woodman; whilst Emil Riis rejected a new deal to sign for Bristol City.

Since then, the likes of Layton Stewart, Jack Whatmough and Jeppe Okkels have been let go, with Heckingbottom allowed to bring in several new additions to reshape the North End squad and general ambitions.

Now, on the final day of the transfer window, it looks as though they could be winning the race to sign Everton youngster Harrison Armstrong before the deadline.

Preston to benefit in their pursuit of Harrison Armstrong

According to Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, Everton moving for Merlin Rohl is good news for Preston North End in their attempts to sign Harrison Armstrong.

If Rohl completes a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium today then it will free up Armstrong from the Everton squad and allow him to go out on loan to get game time.

As Nixon reports, Preston have gone ahead of Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers and Derby County in the race to sign the 18-year-old midfielder.

Armstrong, who has been a part of the Everton squad throughout the start of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, spent the second-half of last season on loan at Pride Park.

The West Derby-born midfielder, who is also an England U18 international, made 15 appearances for the Rams as they avoided relegation on the final day alongside Preston.

Preston have made plenty of new signings this summer

Preston began their summer with a quartet of free transfer additions as Daniel Iversen, Jordan Thompson, Pol Valentin and Thierry Small all joined from Leicester City, Stoke City, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic respectively.

Daniel Jebbison then arrived on loan from AFC Bournemouth before the permanent purchases of Brighton and Hove Albion defender Odeluga Offiah and Luton Town goalkeeper Jack Walton.

After that, Michael Smith signed again on a free from Wednesday before Andrija Vuckevic’s free transfer move from Liga MX outfit Club Juarez.

Since then, Shay Reid has signed from Cliftonville, with Alfie Devine and Lewis Dobbin joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa respectively.

If Rohl does move to Everton and create a domino effect for Armstrong to move to Deepdale, then he will become their fourth loanee of the summer, and their 13th signing in total.

Preston have started their campaign by collecting seven points from their opening four matches, most recently suffering back-to-back losses, though, with a 3-2 defeat at home to Wrexham in the second round of the EFL Cup followed by a 1-0 loss at Fratton Park against Portsmouth.