Agreeing to sell Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest would risk incurring the wrath of Everton‘s supporters and put The Friedkin Group, the club’s American owners, firmly in the firing line.
Even the suggestion that Everton might part with Armstrong has sparked instant disbelief and anger among fans, who see the teenager as their brightest home-grown talent in years and a major hope for the future.
There is no sign yet that Everton will accept a bid, but Forest’s interest is genuine—and pulling it off would be quite a coup.
Such a decision would also raise troubling questions about the scale of TFG’s ambitions.
Manager David Moyes has been frustrated by the lack of incoming transfers this summer.
After Wednesday’s 4-0 Carabao Cup second-round win at Championship side Preston, he made it clear he wanted reinforcements.
He had hoped TFG would back further additions.
Since then, however, Everton’s main creator Iliman Ndiaye has been strongly linked with Manchester City, and now Forest are ready to test their resolve over Armstrong.
How Moyes would view—or explain—such a sale is another matter; it would seem completely at odds with his stated plan to build a stronger squad.
While Everton and their fans may have to accept top clubs like Manchester City luring away prize assets, the idea of their most promising youngster being taken by Nottingham Forest—a side they would expect to match or surpass—may be far harder to accept.
That is why the way Everton handle Forest’s move for Armstrong, who has already shone this season, could prove a defining moment for TFG and Moyes.