REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
Everton will be in two minds over selling Harrison Armstrong as Nottingham Forest work on a deal to sign one of the Toffees' most exciting youngsters.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Forest are looking to put together a package worth around £40 million plus a sell-on clause. The Tricky Trees are continuing to strengthen their midfield after selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116 million earlier this summer.
Armstrong has broken into David Moyes' first team and has made 22 senior appearances for his boyhood club. He has put in some eye-catching performances and Oliver Glasner might feel he has the attributes to replace Anderson.
There are similarities between Forest's move for the 19-year-old and the one that took Anderson to the City Ground back in July 2024. They spent £35m on the England international and there were suggestions that Newcastle United only sold their academy product with the Premier League's FFP in mind.
Everton's Armstrong Resolve Will be Tested
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
There is now talk among Premier League fans that Forest's proposed bid for Armstrong is another FFP move. But for Everton fans, the Liverpool-born midfielder is well worth the money given the huge potential he's shown at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Armstrong spent the first half of last season on loan at Preston North End but was recalled after Moyes was left short of options in midfield. He earned regular game time with the Merseyside outfit and has started this season strongly.
The teenage central midfielder assisted Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for the opener in his side's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in their campaign curtain raiser. He is a player whom Moyes has been looking not to place too much pressure on, having touched on his game time after the Palace win:
"Harrison is 19 and he is making his way. If other people were fit he might not be getting so many opportunities, but he is getting them and doing well."
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Harrison Armstrong vs Crystal Palace
Assists
Expected assists (xA)
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Stats via SofaScore - correct as of 29.08.2026
Everton have strengthened their midfield this summer with the additions of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough and Christian Norgaard from Arsenal. They also opted to make Merlin Rohl's loan move from Freiburg permanent, which is why they might find Forest's offer attractive, given Moyes has options in the middle of the park.
Everton Premier League Fixtures
Take The Money or Think of the Future
harrison armstrong
Everton have a habit of unearthing gems who go on to become top talents in the Premier League. None more so than Wayne Rooney, who rose through the club's youth ranks, broke onto the scene as the most exciting teenager in English football.
Rooney headed to Manchester United, where he became one of the best strikers in top-flight history. Anthony Gordon is another example, having grown at Finch Farm before joining Newcastle, and now he's starting for La Liga champions Barcelona.
Finch Farm's biggest successes
Wayne Rooney - Five-time Premier League champion
John Stones - Treble-winner
Anthony Gordon - Barcelona starter
Leon Osman - Goodison Park hero
wayne rooney everton
While Armstrong has a long way to go to reach their level, he is undoubtedly a huge prospect whom Evertonians will want to see succeed on Merseyside. Watching another one of their academy products realise his potential at another English club is surely something they want to avoid.
That said, Everton will be looking at the money on offer and basing a decision on several factors, including his chance to develop into one of their top stars. Another possibility is snubbing Forest and having the England U19 international further raise his value and fall into the same price range as the likes of Anderson and Declan Rice, who both moved for over £100m.
David Moyes
David Moyes