Nottingham Forest Pursues Harrison Armstrong from Everton in Major Transfer Deal
Nottingham Forest is engaged in advanced negotiations to acquire 19-year-old central midfielder Harrison Armstrong from Everton, with the deal valued at approximately £40 million, including a sell-on clause for the Merseyside club.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reported on August 29, 2026, that Forest is aggressively pursuing the England youth international following Elliott Anderson’s transfer to Manchester City, which has reportedly provided £115 million in transfer funds for Oliver Glasner. Meanwhile, Everton supporters attending today’s 1-1 matchup against Bournemouth made their discontent known, chanting threats of a riot as Armstrong was active on the pitch for 87 minutes.
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This season has been a remarkable journey for the young midfielder. Armstrong spent time on loan in the Championship, making 15 appearances for Derby and 17 for Preston, where he netted his first senior goal and provided two assists, before making a direct return under David Moyes in January.
In the Premier League, he accrued 13 appearances, logging 531 minutes with an impressive 81% passing completion rate. Teams have noted his mature performance alongside Hayden Hackney, showcasing a remarkable 89% passing accuracy over 177 minutes for the 2026/27 season.
Everton’s Position on Harrison Armstrong Remains Firm
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 12: Harrison Armstrong of Everton in action during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Everton at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on August 12, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Forest‘s interest aligns with their immediate need for dynamic midfield options, making Armstrong an appealing choice. However, this interest presents a significant challenge for Everton, not in financial terms but in their squad structure. If Armstrong departs Moyes’ ranks now, the team lacks a suitable replacement for his progressive role. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Merlin Röhl have already secured their places, and the Hackney-Armstrong partnership has been a central focus for Moyes this summer.
The proposed £40 million transfer fee seems substantial, yet Armstrong’s potential value is considerably higher; many believe he could be worth £60 million or more following a full season with over 30 top-flight starts. Selling a homegrown talent like Armstrong to a Premier League competitor in the closing hours of the transfer window, especially without adequate replacement options, could echo previous errors made by Everton in their past dealings involving Rooney, Barkley, and Gordon.
Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to sign 19-year-old central midfielder Harrison Armstrong from Everton in a deal worth around £40 million, with a sell-on clause included for the Merseyside club.
David Ornstein of The Athletic broke the story on August 29, 2026, confirming that Forest are aggressively chasing the England youth international after Elliott Anderson’s departure to Manchester City freed up significant transfer funds, reportedly £115 million, for Oliver Glasner to spend. Everton fans travelling to the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth today were already making their feelings absolutely clear, chanting threats of a riot at the Vitality Stadium while Armstrong himself was out on the pitch logging 87 minutes.
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The teenager’s story this season reads like a scriptwriter’s draft. Two loan spells in the Championship, 15 appearances for Derby, 17 for Preston, where he scored his first senior goal and added two assists, were followed by a direct recall under David Moyes in January.
He then racked up 13 Premier League appearances, 531 minutes, and an 81% passing completion rate. This season, operating alongside Hayden Hackney, Armstrong’s 89% passing accuracy across 177 minutes in 2026/27 shows a player already functioning well above his age bracket.
Everton’s stance on Harrison Armstrong must be an outright no
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 12: Harrison Armstrong of Everton in action during the during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Everton at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on August 12, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Forest‘s interest makes complete logical sense for them. They need progressive midfield mobility immediately, and Armstrong provides them with a good option. But the timing of this interest exposes a real problem for Everton, not a financial one, but a structural one. Strip Armstrong from Moyes’ squad right now and there’s nobody left to fill that progressive role. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Merlin Röhl are already embedded. The Hackney-Armstrong axis has been Moyes’ entire summer project.
The £40m figure is good money on paper. But Armstrong’s ceiling is considerably higher, realistically £60m or beyond after a full season of 30-plus top-flight starts. Selling a homegrown Finch Farm graduate to a direct Premier League rival in the window’s final hours, with no credible replacement possible, would repeat every mistake Everton have made with Rooney, Barkley, and Gordon before him.
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