Nottingham Forest prepare £40m bid for Everton teenager Harrison Armstrong

Nottingham Forest are preparing a £40 million offer for Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong as they look to strengthen their squad before the summer transfer window closes.

Forest are understood to be ready to offer £40m plus a potential sell-on clause for the 19-year-old, who has emerged as one of Everton’s most highly rated young players.

The proposed move would represent a major test of Everton’s resolve, with the club yet to indicate whether they are prepared to sell their England Under-19 international.

Forest target highly rated Everton youngster

Armstrong has made 23 appearances for Everton and has started the new Premier League season strongly.

The teenager was in Everton’s starting XI for their 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace last week and was also selected to start against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Forest’s interest comes as the club look to add further quality before the transfer deadline. They believe a deal for Armstrong could be possible despite the difficulty of convincing Everton to part with a player regarded as one of their brightest academy products.

Everton’s American owners, The Friedkin Group, would risk a significant backlash from supporters if they sanctioned the transfer.

Armstrong is widely regarded by Everton fans as one of the club’s most promising home-grown players, making any potential departure particularly controversial.

Everton face difficult decision over Armstrong

There is currently no indication that Everton have agreed to sell Armstrong or that they are willing to accept Forest’s proposal.

However, Forest’s interest is genuine and the potential £40m package would put considerable pressure on Everton ahead of the transfer deadline.

The situation also comes at a difficult time for manager David Moyes, who has publicly expressed his desire for further reinforcements.

Moyes was frustrated by Everton’s lack of transfer activity this summer and made clear after their 4-0 Carabao Cup victory over Preston that he wanted additional players.

At the same time, Everton attacker Iliman Ndiaye has been linked with Manchester City, adding further uncertainty around the squad.

Selling Armstrong to Forest would therefore raise questions about Everton’s plans, particularly because Forest are a club Everton would expect to compete with in the Premier League.

For supporters, the prospect of losing a prized academy player to a direct Premier League rival could prove especially difficult to accept.

The decision over Armstrong could consequently become an important moment for both Moyes and the Friedkin Group as they attempt to shape Everton’s squad for the season ahead.