Everton's owners, The Friedkin Group (TFG), must fully reverse their decision to sell Harrison Armstrong, whose standout form has underscored the squad's fragility after a chaotic transfer window. The club's wantaway owners had been prepared to sanction the 19-year-old's sale to Nottingham Forest, but a fan backlash forced a U-turn. Now, with the January transfer window approaching, the need to protect one of the club's biggest assets has become increasingly urgent.
A Transfer Window of Missed Opportunities
The end of the summer transfer window was widely regarded as an abject period for the Blues. Four first-team players were sold on deadline day for £100m-plus, including Iliman Ndiaye and Beto, who accounted for 31% of Everton's Premier League goals last season. Only two players were brought in: Ainsley Maitland-Niles for £4m from Lyon and Jack Grealish on another loan from Manchester City.
TFG, in their defence, were prepared to sanction a big-money move for Monaco and US World Cup star Folarin Balogun, but that deal collapsed in dramatic fashion. This left manager David Moyes with just one senior striker, one senior right-back, and one senior left-back in a squad containing only 18 outfield players.
Coleman's Criticism and Fan Protests
Former Everton player Seamus Coleman voiced his frustration, saying: "Who sells a striker before you get one in? We can all have frustrations, and the performances probably weren't where they should be, but you can't even take off your striker, who might be tired from running around, to replace him with another one, because you don't have one. We're talking about a Premier League-level club. I just don't understand how that can happen."
The squad's lack of depth was exposed in the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, where Moyes lost his only left-back, Vitalii Mykolenko, to injury. Already missing Jarrad Branthwaite through concussion protocols and Grealish through illness, the manager could only watch as the Gunners cruised to victory. Should the trio not recover in time, Everton would have just 15 fit players for their Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at home to Newcastle United.
TFG's Future and Armstrong's Value
TFG's statement on October 9 confirmed the owners are "exploring new investment options for the club, including the potential sale of a controlling interest." Crucially, they also said their "focus will remain unchanged" and they "will support the club in all ways necessary to achieve success on the pitch."
TFG's willingness to accept Nottingham Forest's £40m offer for Armstrong, despite internal misgivings, set off alarm bells among supporters. The fan protests at Bournemouth led TFG to end talks with Forest. Armstrong has started all eight of Everton's Premier League fixtures this season and delivered an excellent display against Arsenal.
Armstrong appreciated the support, telling evertontv: "The (support) has meant the world to me and my family. In a moment where… I understand it's part of the game and you're going to have to experience moments like that, but for a fanbase to get involved and show as much support as they did, is special. I don't think I've seen that before. I've given me confidence, it's made me feel loved. And it's cemented that this is the place to be for me."
Armstrong signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract in February 2025, keeping him at the club until June 2028. His performances, including covering 92.7km this season, second only to Brighton's Pascal Gross (94.1km), suggest bigger clubs may come calling. He is one of only three teenagers in the Premier League to have started every game this season.
While Armstrong is not the finished product and needs to add goals and assists, he is a player Everton should build around. If TFG are not around to oversee that future, they can help by giving Armstrong a contract that reflects his status as a key member of Moyes' thin squad. That would fully reverse a misstep the owners should never have made.
