Burnley and Sunderland emerge as suitors for ‘excellent’ youngster, he’s ‘going to have a huge future’

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Teenage midfielder has been impressive throughout the campaign as Championship clubs remain interested in his signature ahead of the summer transfer window.

It is going to be a busy summer in the Burnley and Sunderland boardrooms with both sides now said to be keen on signing an “excellent” Championship youngster.

Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League will certainly bolster their spending power, and Scott Parker’s side have already been arranging a record offer for one of their key players.

The Clarets’ recent success has also made Sunderland miss out on a “very special” target they pushed to sign in January, with Regis Le Bris’ side now destined for the Championship play-offs.

Both the Black Cats and Burnley have now emerged as clubs interested in signing an Everton starlet whose stack has been rising rapidly after his loan in the second tier this season.

• READ MORE: Sunderland fans divided over Regis Le Bris’ tactics and worrying form

Burnley and Sunderland interested in Harrison Armstrong loan transfer

Having departed Premier League Everton in the second half of the campaign, after making six first-team Toffees appearances this term, teenage starlet Harrison Armstrong has been in impressive form during his Derby County loan.

The 18-year-old has taken to the rigors of Championship football superbly, making 13 appearances for John Eustace’s side, finding the net once in their dramatic 3-2 away win at Plymouth Argyle for his first career goal with a delightful finish.

Armstrong has often operated as a defensive-minded midfielder, playing an important role in Derby’s Championship survival battle.

With the summer transfer window looming, it has emerged that multiple second tier suitors would be keen to secure Armstrong’s services for next season, with David Moyes eager for him to develop playing regular football.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Everton News: “Harrison Armstrong is a top young player. He has been very good for Derby and to perform like he has in such difficult circumstances, I would not underestimate what he has done.

“I am told another loan is likely, but I would not be surprised to see him given pre-season with the first-team – but that will depend on what we see happen with (Idrissa) Gueye and (Abdoulaye) Doucoure,

“I think Derby would certainly have a chance of getting him back, but let’s see who loses players – the likes of (Josh) Brownhill, (Hayden) Hackney, (Chris) Rigg, (Dan) Neil could leave and if they do – could those sides be in for Armstrong, I would not rule it out – he is a very good player.”

Blackburn Rovers have also been another club to register interest in Armstrong, but with Burnley’s Premier League return secured and Sunderland’s yet to be decided, the teenager’s future will likely hinge on how his respective suitors, and current outfit Derby, finish their seasons.

Via DerbyshireLive, Rams boss Eustace has said of Armstrong this season: He’s been excellent. He’s maturing into a very good player.

“Harrison is going to have a huge future, I’m sure, and it’s nice that he’s a part of Derby County at the moment.”

However, Sunderland’s youth-first footballing philosophy could be the bargaining chip needed to secure Armstrong on loan next season, with multiple departures from Wearside on the cards this summer.

• READ MORE: Regis Le Bris demands ‘shift’ from Sunderland ahead of play-offs

Harrison Armstrong suits Sunderland recruitment model perfectly

Moyes’ Everton have registered interest in Sunderland star Dan Neil this season, with the Academy graduate turned skipper approaching the final year of his current deal, and Black Cats contract talks shelved until the summer amid their play-off campaign.

Sunderland risk losing multiple top players if they fail to earn promotion this season, with three of those being their regular central-midfield trio of Neil, Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, with the latter duo being tracked by some of Europe’s elite clubs.

The Black Cats have become recognised amongst the English Football League for their youth-first footballing philosophy, boasting the youngest average squad age across the divisions and playing a pivotal role in the development of the country’s top young talent akin to Bellingham and Rigg.

Another in the mold of the teenage talismanic duo is Derby loanee Armstrong, with the young Englishman another second tier talent set for the top level.

Moyes has said this season: “Start of pre-season, we’ll bring him back in, and then we’ll decide then. We like him and we want him around. But we might think about another loan,”

The Toffees boss has confirmed the loan option for Armstrong, and with Sunderland facing persistent transfer speculation over their central-midfield trio, they may need midfield reinforcements following the summer window.

Given their track record for developing supreme young talent, of which the 18-year-old has proven he fits that bill, it is feasible that Armstrong could be loaned out to Sunderland next season.