Everton decide not to sell Harrison Armstrong | OneFootball

Everton have decided against selling Harrison Armstrong this summer despite Nottingham Forest pushing to sign him, according to The Athletic.

The 19-year-old Everton star enjoyed a breakthrough 2025/26 campaign that has caught the eye of their Premier League rivals.

They had advanced talks with Everton over a deal, with negotiations centred on a package worth around £40 million plus a future sale clause.

However, the Everton hierarchy ultimately concluded that Armstrong is too important to the club’s plans to sanction his departure.

The decision will come as a major relief to Everton supporters, many of whom reacted angrily to the possibility of the academy graduate leaving this summer.

Armstrong started Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth and played 87 minutes, continuing an impressive beginning to the new Premier League campaign.

Everton’s decision-makers spent much of the day weighing up whether to accept Forest’s proposal before unanimously opting to keep the teenager.

Chairman Dan Friedkin was personally involved in the discussions as the Toffees considered selling Armstrong to fund other moves.

However, his importance as both a first-team player and a homegrown asset ultimately proved decisive.

Armstrong spent the first half of last season on loan at Derby County, before being recalled in January.

He subsequently made 13 appearances for Everton, largely from the bench, but has now started their opening two Premier League matches of the new campaign.

He has been key due to injuries to James Garner and Hayden Hackney, and Armstrong has shown remarkable composure despite his limited senior experience.

Forest had identified the midfielder as a potential successor to Elliot Anderson. Everton have decided he has the potential to become an elite midfielder.