The Friedkin Group have been warned that sanctioning Harrison Armstrong’s departure would mean Everton losing far more than another talented academy graduate.
Nottingham Forest are pushing to sign the 19-year-old, with talks centred on a deal worth around £40m.
Everton supporters made their feelings clear during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, repeatedly singing for the club not to sell Armstrong.
Telegraph journalist and lifelong Evertonian Dominic King has now highlighted another reason why the decision could resonate long after the transfer window closes.
Armstrong represents an Everton tradition
King described a potential sale as an “act of vandalism” and a “removal of hope”.
He also highlighted a remarkable piece of Everton history, stating that a Liverpool-born player has represented the club in every season since 1887/88.
Armstrong, himself born in Liverpool and part of Everton’s academy since the age of five, is the latest homegrown player to establish himself in the senior side.
There is an obvious financial argument for considering a package worth around £40m for a 19-year-old academy graduate.
There is another side to it.
Armstrong has started all of Everton’s competitive games this season and played the full 90 minutes at Bournemouth on Saturday.
David Moyes made his own feelings clear afterwards. While saying Armstrong’s future would ultimately be a “club decision”, the Everton manager added that he did not believe his squad could afford to lose players and stressed that Everton did not want to lose their better ones.
The travelling support had already delivered its verdict.
King’s piece adds another layer to the discontent. Armstrong is young, local, homegrown and beginning to establish himself in Moyes’ side.
A £40m deal would represent a substantial return for an academy player.
For Everton, the decision is whether what Armstrong represents is worth considerably more than that.
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