Nottingham Forest Makes £40m Bid for Everton’s Young Talent Harrison Armstrong
Nottingham Forest is making an ambitious play to secure the services of Everton’s teenage midfielder, Harrison Armstrong.
As the transfer window closes, Forest aims to bolster their squad and, according to The Athletic, plans to present a £40m offer along with a potential sell-on clause to finalize the acquisition of Armstrong.
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While it would come as a surprise for Everton to approve such a deal, Forest maintains optimism about their chances to attract the talented England under-19 star, who is viewed as a promising player with a bright future.
Armstrong, 19, has participated in 23 matches for Everton and recently started in the club’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace last week.
Currently, there are no signs indicating that Everton is open to selling.
The England Under-19 international was named in the starting lineup for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth (15:00 BST).
Losing Armstrong Would Be Difficult for Fans – Analysis
The Friedkin Group, Everton’s American ownership, could face significant backlash from their fanbase if they agree to transfer Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.
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The mere consideration of selling Armstrong has prompted disbelief and anger among supporters, who see the young midfielder as one of the club’s top home-grown prospects and a key figure for the future.
Despite no current indications that Everton will entertain an offer, Forest’s genuine interest in Armstrong poses a challenge for the club that could have major implications.
This situation may also raise concerns about the long-term ambitions of TFG.
Everton manager David Moyes has expressed frustration regarding the club’s lack of incoming transfers this summer.
After Wednesday’s 4-0 Carabao Cup victory against Championship side Preston, Moyes underscored the necessity for reinforcements.
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His hope was that TFG would support the acquisition of new players.
However, since then, Everton’s key playmaker Iliman Ndiaye has attracted interest from Manchester City, and now Forest is poised to test Everton’s resolve regarding Armstrong.
It will be intriguing to see how Moyes perceives or justifies such a sale, as it seems contradictory to his goal of enhancing the squad.
While Everton and their supporters might have to reconcile with losing key players to clubs like Manchester City, the prospect of their most promising young talent being acquired by Nottingham Forest—an outfit they would expect to compete with—could be particularly challenging to accept.
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This is why the approach by Nottingham Forest for Armstrong, who has already shone this season, may prove to be a pivotal moment for TFG and Moyes.
Nottingham Forest have launched an ambitious bid to sign Everton’s teenage midfielder Harrison Armstrong.
Forest are keen to strengthen before the end of the transfer window and, as reported by The Athletic, are preparing to offer £40m plus a potential sell-on clause to clinch a deal for Armstrong.
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It would be a major surprise should Everton sanction a deal, but there is hope at Forest that they can pull off the move to prise away the elegant England under-19 star, who is regarded as having a big future ahead of him.
Armstrong, 19, has made 23 appearances for Everton and started in their 2-0 Premier League win against Crystal Palace last week.
As yet, there are no indications as to whether Everton will agree to sell.
The England Under-19 international was named in the starting XI for Saturday’s Premier League match at Bournemouth (15:00 BST).
Losing Armstrong would be hard for fans to stomach – analysis
The Friedkin Group, Everton’s American owners, will be risking the fury of their own fanbase should they agree to the sale of Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.
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The notion that Everton could even consider parting with Armstrong sparked an instant reaction of disbelief and anger among supporters, with the teenager regarded as their brightest home-grown prospect for years and a big hope for the future.
As yet, there are no indications that Everton will accept an offer, but Forest’s interest is real, although it would be a real coup should they pull it off.
It would also send out worrying signals about the scale of TFG’s ambitions.
Manager David Moyes has been frustrated by the club’s lack of incoming transfer activity this summer.
Moyes made it abundantly clear after Wednesday’s 4-0 Carabao Cup second-round win at Championship side Preston that he wanted reinforcements.
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His hope was that TFG would provide backing for further arrivals.
Since then, however, Everton’s main creator Iliman Ndiaye has been heavily linked with Manchester City, and now Forest are ready to test their resolve over Armstrong.
How Moyes would view, or indeed explain, such a sale, would be intriguing. It would appear totally at odds with his stated intention of building a better squad.
And while Everton and their support may have to accept their prize assets being spirited away by clubs such as Manchester City, the idea that their most promising young player could be taken away by Nottingham Forest – a club they would be expecting to challenge or even surpass – may be harder to stomach.
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That is why the manner in which Everton handle Forest’s approach for Armstrong, who has already excelled this season, may be a defining moment for TFG and Moyes.
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