Moyes says fan concerns over Armstrong sale deserve consideration
David Moyes responded to Everton fans' protests against the potential sale of Harrison Armstrong by saying supporters are not always wrong. Nottingham Forest have reportedly bid £40m for the 19-year-old midfielder, who started the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Armstrong, an England Under-19 international, has made 24 senior appearances for Everton and logged 87 minutes at Bournemouth before making way for Charly Alcaraz. Moyes referenced past departures he opposed—Wayne Rooney, Mikel Arteta, Joleon Lescott, and Declan Rice—as inevitable parts of club rebuilding. He also criticised the summer window remaining open once fixtures begin, noting it fuels media speculation. The Premier League window closes on 1 September at 23:00 BST, leaving Everton's owners, The Friedkin Group, to weigh a £40m offer against supporter sentiment.
This episode could test the relationship between Everton's American ownership and a fanbase already sensitive to player departures. If Armstrong is sold, it may signal that financial pragmatism outweighs youth development, potentially discouraging young academy prospects across the league. Conversely, rejecting the bid could strain club finances. Supporters' protests may influence how other clubs handle similar bids, shaping transfer-window behaviour and fan engagement more broadly.