Harrison Armstrong will remain an Everton player after the club's hierarchy pulled the plug on a move to Nottingham Forest. The ECHO understands intervention from supporters appears to have been decisive in preventing Armstrong's sale.
The teenager midfielder headed into Saturday afternoon's game away to Bournemouth the subject of an offer from Forest. The 19-year-old academy graduate started at the Vitality Stadium, making his 24th appearance for the club, but there was a growing expectation that the match would be his last for the Blues, with him set to undergo a medical at Forest today.
Fan protest and Peter Reid plea
However, supporters in attendance on the South Coast made their feelings known by repeatedly singing “If you sell Armstrong, Harrison Armstrong, you're going to have a riot on your hands,” before, during and after the game.
And it wasn't just Everton fans who made their feelings known ahead of the club's decision to U-turn on the transfer. Taking to X late on Saturday night, Blues great Peter Reid wrote: “Everton must keep Armstrong.”
While skipper James Tarkowski, who netted his side's late equaliser to rescue a point, declared after the match that he hopes the Blues are able to keep hold of their most talented players.
Tarkowski backs Armstrong and Ndiaye
He said: “I'm not in charge of the finances, so it's not really my decision. From a selfish standpoint, they are two terrific players in a dressing room full of terrific players, so I'd want to keep everyone in there if it was my choice.
“But you know how football works, people come and go all the time. Iliman's been terrific in his time here. He's shown what a quality player he is, so why would you want to lose someone like that?
“As I said, Harrison has been brilliant. I've known him for four or five years now. His potential is massive and he's already improved so much. He's also a massive character in that dressing room for such a young kid.”
Ndiaye set for Spurs, Grealish and Richarlison linked
However, while Armstrong looks set to remain an Everton player, the same can't be said about Iliman Ndiaye, who is set to be sold to Tottenham Hotspur. The Blues and Spurs are locked in talks over a deal for the Senegal international, who Spurs want after they missed out on Cody Gakpo.
Dutch international Gakpo will join Manchester City if Liverpool can sign a replacement, while Ndiaye has previously rejected a number of contract offers from Everton. Addressing his future back in June, Ndiaye told SPORTbible: “Everyone's going to be watching the World Cup. It's definitely a big opportunity for me.
“You don't know where football will take you next. As I've always said, I want to be the best player and to do that, you have to play at the top. I want to be playing at the top level. I want to be playing Champions League football.”
Jack Grealish and Richarlison could also both return to Everton before the window closes on Tuesday night.
