Everton should think very carefully about what appears to be developing around Harrison Armstrong.
David Ornstein reports that Nottingham Forest are working on a deal to sign the 19-year-old, with talks centred on a package worth around £40m plus a sell-on clause.
Forty million pounds for an academy graduate is, of course, serious money. Everton cannot dismiss an offer of that size (although they should).
But selling Armstrong now would feel completely at odds with where this club should be heading.
Armstrong should be part of Everton’s future
Armstrong has followed almost the ‘perfect’ route towards the first team.
He came through Finch Farm, gained valuable Championship experience with Derby County and Preston North End and returned ready to compete for Premier League football.
Now he is doing exactly that.
Armstrong played the full 90 minutes against Crystal Palace on the opening weekend and provided the assist for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s opening goal.
This should be the stage at which Everton start enjoying the rewards of developing him.
Instead, one of the brightest young players at the club could be sold just as he is beginning to establish himself.
There is something particularly uncomfortable about Forest being the prospective buyer.
They have sold Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116m and reportedly see Armstrong as an ideal replacement.
That alone should give Everton reason to hesitate.
Forest clearly believe there is considerable development and value still to come from Armstrong. Why shouldn’t Everton believe the same?
£40m does not automatically make it good business
The financial argument is clear.
As an academy graduate, Armstrong represents an extremely valuable asset from an accounting perspective. A £40m sale would give Everton greater room to strengthen elsewhere before the deadline.
But there has to be a bigger plan.
Everton have spent years attempting to establish a proper route between their academy and first team. Armstrong is exactly the sort of player that pathway is supposed to produce.
A local boy who has been with the club since the age of five, gone away to learn his trade and returned capable of playing Premier League football.
Selling him at 19, just as that process is bearing fruit, would send the wrong signal completely.
It would also strengthen a club Everton should be looking to compete with.
Forest apparently believe Armstrong can help replace a midfielder they have just sold for £116m. If they are right about his potential, Everton could end up watching another club benefit from the most important years of his development.
There is a price at which every football club has to listen.
Perhaps Forest eventually reach one that makes refusing impossible.
But £40m should prompt a serious discussion, not an automatic acceptance.
Everton want to become younger, better and capable of challenging towards the European places.
Harrison Armstrong looks like precisely the sort of player who should be part of that journey.
Selling him now would raise money.
Keeping him might say rather more about Everton’s ambition.
For more info on this and other Everton transfer deals and rumours, please take a look at our live transfer tracker.
For updates on the Toffees throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
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