Nottingham Forest prepare £40m offer for Everton's Armstrong
Nottingham Forest are preparing a £40m bid, plus a potential sell-on clause, for Everton's 19-year-old midfielder Harrison Armstrong. The England Under-19 international has made 23 appearances for Everton and started in their recent win over Crystal Palace. Everton's owners may face fan backlash if they agree to sell the highly-rated teenager.
The proposed transfer comes as Forest seek late-window reinforcements, with the club reportedly willing to include a sell-on clause alongside the £40m fee. Armstrong has featured 23 times for Everton and started in last week's 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, and he was also named in the starting lineup for Saturday's match at Bournemouth.
Everton manager David Moyes has publicly expressed frustration over the club's lack of incoming transfers this summer, following a 4-0 Carabao Cup win at Preston. The Friedkin Group's ownership faces scrutiny, as supporters view Armstrong as the club's most promising home-grown talent in years, and the potential departure comes amid reported interest from Manchester City in Iliman Ndiaye.
This story could signal broader concerns about the financial dynamics in English football, where even established Premier League clubs may feel pressure to sell home-grown talent. Everton supporters may view such a sale as evidence of limited ambition from the club's ownership, potentially affecting fan morale and matchday atmosphere. The outcome could also influence how other clubs approach young British players, with implications for player development pathways across the league.