Everton have performed a dramatic U-turn and decided not to sell homegrown midfielder Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest after a powerful fan protest at the weekend. The club's leadership, led by owner Dan Friedkin, pulled out of a deal worth around £40 million on Sunday morning, according to a report from The Athletic. nytimes.com first reported the story.
Armstrong, a 19-year-old England youth international developed through Everton's academy, had been granted permission to travel for a medical after Forest's written offer was accepted. The initial decision to consider the sale was linked to Premier League squad cost ratio rules. But chants from the away end during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth changed the course of events. Supporters sang, "Don't sell Armstrong! Don't sell Armstrong! I just don't think you understand," and warned, "If you sell Armstrong, Harrison Armstrong, you're gonna have a riot on your hands."
Why did Everton change their mind?
Internal discussions held on Saturday led to the Sunday morning reversal. Club officials ultimately cited Armstrong's importance to Everton's long-term sporting project as the reason for halting the transfer. This episode highlights the fragile, yet powerful, connection between a club and its homegrown talents. For supporters, these players carry an emotional weight that transcends their financial value on a balance sheet.
The Friedkin Group, which also owns Serie A's Roma, has built credibility at Everton since taking over from Farhad Moshiri's turbulent near-decade reign. Their swift response to fan sentiment marks a notable moment. It contrasts with events at Roma in 2024, when the sacking of manager Daniele De Rossi just three months after a contract extension led the Curva Sud ultras to boycott a match's first half-hour, displaying banners that read "You don't respect our values and our flags" and "Yankee go home."
How does this fit a wider Premier League trend?
Everton's situation is not unique. Over the past three years, dozens of academy players have been sold by their home clubs primarily for financial reasons. In summer 2024, Newcastle United sold Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest on a cut-price deal to avoid a Premier League financial penalty. Jacob Ramsey moved from Aston Villa to Newcastle, and Conor Gallagher joined Atletico Madrid from Chelsea. The combined sales value of those three players alone reached £110 million.
More than half of Premier League clubs now have American ownership, a model where franchise relocation is possible and fan groups have limited power against decisions like ticket price increases. There are no clear examples of American fanbases preventing a team from signing or drafting a player. Everton's reversal, therefore, stands out as a demonstration of supporter influence in a league increasingly shaped by transatlantic investment.
What is Everton's current situation?
The decision to keep Armstrong comes as Everton sit 8th in the Premier League with four points from two games. Their record shows one win and one draw, with three goals scored and only one conceded for a +2 goal difference. They are just two points behind early leaders Manchester City. This solid start provides a stable platform, though the creative void left by Iliman Ndiaye's £60 million move to Tottenham Hotspur remains a challenge. The Senegal international was the team's key creative force for the past two seasons.
Sean Dyche's squad now prepares for a significant test in their next fixture, an away match against Tottenham Hotspur on September 12th. You can view the full upcoming schedule on our fixtures page. Spurs, currently 20th, will be desperate for a result, making it a tricky encounter. The current league standings show a tight early table, which you can follow on our standings page.
Where does Armstrong fit now?
Retaining Armstrong is a major boost for Everton's squad depth and identity. His development path within the first-team setup becomes a central part of the club's narrative this season. Fans will now expect to see the midfielder involved as Everton looks to build on their positive start. The club's full roster, including Armstrong, is listed on our squad page.
The U-turn means a prized academy asset remains at Goodison Park, his value measured in more than just pounds. His continued presence offers a thread of continuity for supporters after a lower-mid-table finish last season. Everton's next match is away to Tottenham Hotspur on September 12, 2026.
