Derby County and Preston keen on Everton player as David Moyes drops new transfer update | OneFootball

All eyes are poised to be on Moyes as the transfer window is about to shut

Derby County and Preston North End remain interested in signing Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong - and Toffees boss David Moyes has given an update on the 18-year-old's situation.

Armstrong obviously spent the second-half of last season on loan with the Rams, playing 15 times and scoring once to help the East Midlands outfit stay up on the final day of the season against Stoke City.

The Lilywhites are keen to add depth to their midfield options as they look to build on their solid start to the new Championship campaign under Paul Heckingbottom - they've won two and drawn once so far.

David Moyes leaves door open for Harrison Armstrong exit

Following Everton's 2-0 win over League One Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, Moyes was asked about Armstrong's immediate future amid continued interest from the second-tier.

The Scottish manager's response will surely give fresh hope to both Derby and Preston, "We'll see," said Moyes.

"I thought Harrison played well. There's a couple of options we've got for Harrison, so we'll decide over the next few days what we're going to do," Moyes confirmed after the cup victory.

Armstrong's performance against Mansfield would've surely given Moyes some food for thought though - he assisted both goals and received Player of the Match.

John Eustace refuses to talk about Harrison Armstrong potentially re-joining Derby County

When Armstrong was at Pride Park last season, Eustace was full of praise for the 18-year-old, describing his performances as "outstanding".

However, when speaking to local media in preparation for playing Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town at Portman Road, Eustace was adamant he wasn't going to discuss a potential deal for Armstrong.

"He's not my player, so i'm not going to talk about him," Eustace said on whether Derby were serious about bringing him back.

But he did mention, "Harrison did amazingly well last year, and I think he was man of the match last night for Everton as well. He's got a big future ahead."

Preston North End hopeful David Moyes factor helps them land Harrison Armstrong

TeamTalk reported earlier on in the window that Blackburn Rovers and Hull City were two clubs that joined Derby and Preston in the race to sign Armstrong on loan.

But that was before journalist Alan Nixon reported via his Patreon account, that Preston were hoping their former manager Moyes decides to send him to Lancashire for 25/26 and not Derbyshire.

For someone who missed just four minutes of Derby's final 11 league games as their relegation battle was in full-swing, it's not surprising that a host of Championship clubs have been linked with him.