You'd need to take a new contract if you want your friend to keep the old number.
Once the number is ported that contract will end immediately.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with O2 or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion.
This is not Customer Service so we are unable to help with account specific issues.Currently using:
Pixel 7a (O2 & Lyca), One Plus 6 (Sfr), iPhone 12 Pro Max (Vodafone)