[**Everton**](https://readeverton.com/) **began the weekend needing to strengthen David Moyes’ squad. Somehow, they ended it having discussed selling two players who should be central to its future.**
Harrison Armstrong is staying. That was confirmed after The Friedkin Group decided against allowing the 19-year-old to join Nottingham Forest following talks over a deal worth around £40million.
The reaction from Evertonians was impossible to ignore.
Armstrong’s name rang around the away section at Bournemouth and Moyes hardly distanced himself from the supporters afterwards.
“Supporters aren’t always wrong,” he said.
Moyes also said Everton could not afford to lose players and stressed that they did not want to lose their better ones.
Yet within hours, attention had switched to Iliman Ndiaye and the possibility of another major departure.
Tottenham are prepared to pay around £60m for Ndiaye, while Everton have also explored bringing Richarlison back from Spurs for a fee in the region of £35m.
The two deals are separate, but it is difficult to ignore the numbers.
Richarlison remains hugely popular at Everton and scored 11 Premier League goals last season. Plenty of supporters would welcome him back.
But Ndiaye is 26 and one of the best players Moyes has. Richarlison is 29.
Selling Ndiaye for £60m before committing a substantial chunk of that money to an older forward would need to leave Everton demonstrably stronger elsewhere.
That is the test.
Ndiaye should not necessarily be considered untouchable. He has rejected offers of a new contract and £60m would represent a substantial return on the £15m Everton paid Marseille two years ago.
But the timing is difficult to understand. And £80m in today’s market doesn’t feel unreasonable.
Moyes has spent the closing days of the window publicly asking for reinforcements. Everton then considered selling Armstrong before reversing that decision and are now discussing a possible exit for Ndiaye.
Angus Kinnear has spoken about Everton’s European ambitions and the club’s desire to keep moving forward.
By Tuesday night, supporters will have a much better idea of what that ambition looks like in practice.
Everton need more good players, not simply different ones.
_For updates on the Toffees throughout the season, take a look at our [LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments](https://dave.sport/live/premier-league-2026-2027-season-updates/) page._