Everton saw a number of players depart the club over the summer in what was a transformational window.
Nine players were signed by the end of the window, with Merlin Rohl landing in the final hours to bolster Everton’s midfield.
David Moyes was pleased with Everton’s transfer business by the evening of September 1 after the window shut for the summer.
However, there was a lot of player turnover, which the 62-year-old will want to avoid in the years going forward.
One of the players to depart was young midfield prospect Harrison Armstrong, with Rohl’s arrival sealing his loan move to Preston North End.
It was a departure that went right down to the wire, with some inside the club clearly not absolutely sold on allowing Armstrong to leave.
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What Everton truly thought of Harrison Armstrong’s loan exit
Since leaving Everton on loan, Armstrong has shone for England’s U19s during the recent international break.
The youngster played for the Blues throughout the course of the pre-season, but the decision was made to allow him to find regular minutes elsewhere.
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According to the Lancashire Evening Post, Preston’s CEO, Peter Ridsdale, has shared the stress of the deadline day deal to land the midfielder.
“Well, it was stressful in the sense that we managed to get Harrison over the line with 23 minutes to go,” he said.
“But literally, up to six o’clock on Monday night, there were some people we were talking to inside Everton Football Club who were saying, ‘We don’t think he should be coming out; he should be playing for us’.
“So, that’s a testament to the lad and to his qualities. The fact we managed to get him, I think we’re over the moon and having subsequently spoken to him… I mean, it was complicated because he’s away with England Under-19s.”
West Brom were left furious in missing out on Armstrong following the decision for him to make the short trip to Preston.
Some Everton fans have questioned Armstrong’s departure, and it seems some inside the club may well still have their own thoughts on the matter.
Harrison Armstrong will shine again in the Championship
Back in January, Armstrong enjoyed his first loan stint away from the club with Derby County in the Championship.
Armstrong impressed those at Derby and he even earned the nickname of Bruce Wayne (Batman) for his heroics on the pitch.
With a full season ahead of him, the youngster will be able to knuckle down and get some regular minutes under his belt in the second tier.
Although Armstrong wanted to impress Moyes this summer, it seems the 62-year-old was keen to bring in players to bolster the squad depth.
This just provides Armstrong with another opportunity to showcase his talent on a weekly basis.