Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Everton are prepared to sell midfielder Harrison Armstrong in the final days of the window after Nottingham Forest's £40m bid, GMS understands.
After an impressive loan spell with Championship club Preston North End last term, the 19-year-old returned to Everton in 2026 and made a big impact during pre-season, leading to him starting both of their opening two Premier League fixtures this term.
In fact, the teenager has played all but three minutes of the win against Crystal Palace and the draw against Bournemouth on Saturday, while he also played the full 90 against Preston in the Carabao Cup during the week.
Armstrong looks to have the potential to nail down a regular starting spot for the Toffees this term given his performances to date, however news broke from David Ornstein on Saturday morning that Forest were working on a deal for Armstrong, having launched a £40m bid.
Despite the news, the midfielder started against the Cherries and while Everton fans may have expected the club to knock back interest in one of their young talents who has been a key player this term, according to GMS sources, they are ready to cash in on him.
Ornstein claimed that Forest are willing to include a sell-on clause for the 19-year-old, as they look to land a replacement for Elliot Anderson following his big-money switch to Manchester City.
Everton themselves have strengthened in central midfield this summer, with Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard joining from Middlesbrough and Arsenal respectively, while Merlin Rohl sealed a permanent move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium following his loan move from Freiburg.
James Beavis View: Everton Sending Out Wrong Message
via Reuters
On the face of it, you can see why Everton chiefs would be open to selling a teenager who has made 24 appearances for the club for £40m, especially given he spent half of last season on loan in the Championship.
It could be money that helps strengthen David Moyes' squad with more senior options in the final hours of the transfer window, with the Toffees boss previously suggesting that he needed five more players before the deadline.
It probably helps them from a SCR viewpoint too. But there is a deeper issue here.
||
Armstrong PL Stats 2026-27
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Distance covered
Pass accuracy
Defensive contributions
Recoveries
Tackles
Interceptions
Everton are a fanbase who love seeing local youth products shining in the first-team, and Armstrong looks to have a huge future ahead of him.
Moyes clearly rates him too, having started him in all three of their matches this season.
In the past, the Toffees may have been pushed into a difficult situation when bigger clubs have come calling for their players, but this is Nottingham Forest we are talking about.
|||
Player Joined
Wayne Rooney Man United
Idrissa Gueye PSG
John Stones Man City
Romelu Lukaku Man United
Jack Rodwell Man City
With all due respect to Forest, they are, at the very most, a sideways step from Everton, and it would be hugely controversial to sanction this sale of a homegrown player the Hill Dickinson Stadium have already loved getting behind.
Now, Toffees chiefs need to think about the damage this could do to the relationship between them and the fans, which hasn't been the strongest in recent years anyway.
They need to make a statement and say that Armstrong won't be going anywhere, and especially not to one of their potential rivals in the table, Forest.
David Moyes
David Moyes