30/08/2026
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(Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
Everton's owners, The Friedkin Group, has officially pulled the plug on a deal that would have sold 19-year-old midfielder Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest, supposedly following a massive wave of fan opposition.
According to reports from The Athletic, Nottingham Forest had advanced to late-stage discussions over a transfer package worth £40M plus a future sell-on clause. However, Everton’s board — led by Dan Friedkin and The Friedkin Group — made a unanimous decision over the weekend to keep the academy graduate on Merseyside, viewing him as a vital piece of the club's long-term project.
The Transfer Saga and Fan Reaction
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Advanced Talks: According to David Ornstein, Forest had emerged as serious suitors on Saturday morning, bidding to make a shock permanent move for the England youth international midfielder.
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Supporter Backlash: News of the potential departure triggered immediate and vocal anger across the Everton fanbase. Travelling Blues at the Vitality Stadium chanted Armstrong's name continuously throughout Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, explicitly demanding the hierarchy refuse any deal.
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Ownership Intervention: David Ornstien now claims the fan reaction served as a major factor in the decision to U-turn on the deal. Talks held late into Saturday resulted in The Friedkin Group pulling out of negotiations and reaffirming Armstrong's status as a core homegrown asset.
David Moyes on Matchday
Manager David Moyes addressed the situation after Saturday's match at Bournemouth, reiterating his desire to retain the squad's best talents and acknowledging the voice of the supporters:
"You always have to consider supporters; supporters aren't always wrong... I don't think we can afford to lose any players, certainly not our better ones."
Despite the off-pitch noise, it seemed a very deliberate act under the circumstances for David Moyes to select Armstrong in midfield against Bournemouth, despite Ornstein himself saying earlier that Armstrong would not be in the Everton squad. Armstrong put in an energetic 87-minute shift before James Tarkowski bagged a late stoppage-time equalizer to rescue a point for Everton.
Reality Bites for TFG?
The decision to retain Armstrong marks an important moment for The Friedkin Group early in their custodianship of Everton Football Club. The prospect that they would even consider selling one of Everton's brightest homegrown talents only intensified a deep distrust that has been building for a long time among many in the fanbase.
The Friedkin Group has been noticeable in its perplexing absence from any Everton game since the financially critical takeover from Farhad Moshiri's disastrous regime.
By finally rejecting Forest's £40M proposal, the board may be hoping to send a message that elite academy progression takes priority over short-term financial gains as the club builds towards its future. But the very thought that such a move was seriously considered in any event will remain a serious concern for many Evertonians.
Quotes sourced from The Athletic [£]
Reader Comments (49)
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Mike Hayes
2 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:40:12
2 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:40:12
The Bobble on X:
Everton are set to pull out of the deal with Nottingham Forest for Harrison Armstrong. The 19-year-old's preference is to stay at the Toffees. 🔵
Everton are set to pull out of the deal with Nottingham Forest for Harrison Armstrong. The 19-year-old's preference is to stay at the Toffees. 🔵
Mike Hayes
3 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:47:50
3 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:47:50
🚨 JUST IN - Everton owners The Friedkin Group decide not to sell Harrison Armstrong.
Nottingham Forest deal for 19-year-old reached advanced stage but after deliberations (including chairman Dan Friedkin personally) unanimously opted to keep midfielder.
Nottingham Forest deal for 19-year-old reached advanced stage but after deliberations (including chairman Dan Friedkin personally) unanimously opted to keep midfielder.
Peter Hopkins
4 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:52:52
4 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:52:52
Now give him a proper contract and tie him down for 5 years minimum.
Paul Myers
5 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:55:31
5 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:55:31
Whilst undoubtedly the correct outcome, sadly symptomatic of the club creating an unnecessary split with the fans in not ruling this out straight away.
At least we now know with this and Tete show Kinnear and the owners are not too interested in us ever competing for silverware, just maximising profits.
At least we now know with this and Tete show Kinnear and the owners are not too interested in us ever competing for silverware, just maximising profits.
John Collins
6 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:59:29
6 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:59:29
They listened to the uproar, TFG.
More of the same required.
More of the same required.
Kunal Desai
7 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:08:22
7 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:08:22
Glad that common sense has prevailed here, but clearly they are not to be trusted, what other wild decisions have they got in the bag?
Steve Brown
8 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:10:33
8 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:10:33
“Everton owners TFG including Dan Friedkin accepted proposal for Harrison Armstrong from Nottingham Forest. After a unanimous push back from the clubs leadership group and our fanbase, a decision has now been to made to reject any proposal for the 19 year-old.”
The Bobble.
Fan power, pure and simple.
The Yanks had better wise up quick about this club and its supporters. Visiting the city and watching a game would be a good start.
They have burned a lot of bridges over the last 48 hours. Stupid and unnecessary.
The Bobble.
Fan power, pure and simple.
The Yanks had better wise up quick about this club and its supporters. Visiting the city and watching a game would be a good start.
They have burned a lot of bridges over the last 48 hours. Stupid and unnecessary.
Brian Harrison
9 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:14:45
9 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:14:45
Just read the BBC website saying Everton have called off the transfer!. A massive thanks to our fans who where at the Bournemouth game who in no small part would have brought about this change of heart.
But let's not forget if the press hadn't broken this story before our game, Kinnear would have agreed this sale before we could make our feelings known to stop it.
DONT EVER TRUST THIS BOARD AGAIN.
But let's not forget if the press hadn't broken this story before our game, Kinnear would have agreed this sale before we could make our feelings known to stop it.
DONT EVER TRUST THIS BOARD AGAIN.
Ian Bennett
10 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:18:34
10 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:18:34
Latest from Sky Sports News's Vinny O'Connor:
Nottingham Forest's proposed move for Harrison Armstrong from Everton has broken down.
After receiving an approach from Forest, Sky Sports News understands the board is unanimous in its decision to not sell the player.
Nottingham Forest's proposed move for Harrison Armstrong from Everton has broken down.
After receiving an approach from Forest, Sky Sports News understands the board is unanimous in its decision to not sell the player.
Raymond Fox
11 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:20:37
11 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:20:37
Good that the deal if off, but it shows they are more interested in the cash than carrying us forward. It's not a surprise that they are thinking that way, we are just a business deal to them, something to extract as much money as possible from.
Fair play to Moyes he made his feelings clear when interviewed, saying what he thought about the proposed Harrison transfer and the lack of signings. He has looked unhappy for a while now, for those that want him gone, I think saying what he did will not go down well with the owners and I cant see them giving him another contract now.
Fair play to Moyes he made his feelings clear when interviewed, saying what he thought about the proposed Harrison transfer and the lack of signings. He has looked unhappy for a while now, for those that want him gone, I think saying what he did will not go down well with the owners and I cant see them giving him another contract now.
Frank Fearns
12 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:48:13
12 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:48:13
Can we have another protest over selling Ndiaye?
Mark Ryan
13 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:57:21
13 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:57:21
I need to say a massive thank you to our fans who sang their hearts out at the Vitality because it would seem that they have single-handedly changed our board's decision to sell Harrison.
I am not a fan of Moyes but I also have to thank him for standing with us and showing his clear frustration when answering the questions at his post-match press conference. It was clear that he was standing over his sword when he made his comments and I felt that he was about to distance himself from the hierarchy.
Maybe I've read it wrong but I think they were definitely going to sanction Harrison's departure... but our fans, at the 11th hour, changed our board's minds by making their point heard.
Kinnear is clearly out if step with Moyes and I suspect we have not heard the last of this. Chuffed to bits Harrison Armstrong is staying. A future captain of the club in the making. Feels like a watershed. UTFTs
I am not a fan of Moyes but I also have to thank him for standing with us and showing his clear frustration when answering the questions at his post-match press conference. It was clear that he was standing over his sword when he made his comments and I felt that he was about to distance himself from the hierarchy.
Maybe I've read it wrong but I think they were definitely going to sanction Harrison's departure... but our fans, at the 11th hour, changed our board's minds by making their point heard.
Kinnear is clearly out if step with Moyes and I suspect we have not heard the last of this. Chuffed to bits Harrison Armstrong is staying. A future captain of the club in the making. Feels like a watershed. UTFTs
Edward Rogers
14 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:58:08
14 Posted 30/08/2026 at 10:58:08
Doesn't all this palaver just pile even more pressure on Armstrong?
He should have just had a nice season bedding in to life as a Premier League footballer now... unless he turns out to be the next Messi -- God help him!
He should have just had a nice season bedding in to life as a Premier League footballer now... unless he turns out to be the next Messi -- God help him!
Mike Powell
15 Posted 30/08/2026 at 11:13:11
15 Posted 30/08/2026 at 11:13:11
Everton have knocked Forest back, they have told them Armstrong is not for sale.
As for Tete he knocked us back last season, so why go for him again, he is another year older and injury prone
As for Tete he knocked us back last season, so why go for him again, he is another year older and injury prone
Ant Sorvoja
16 Posted 30/08/2026 at 11:17:24
16 Posted 30/08/2026 at 11:17:24
More rumours about us and Forest. We were trying to buy their right-back Aina but that deal has now collapsed together with Harrison transfer.
John Keating
17 Posted 30/08/2026 at 11:20:50
17 Posted 30/08/2026 at 11:20:50
Common sense prevails, with a lot of help from the support
Admittedly every player in every Club has a price but unless we are close to falling foul again financially we have to do everything we can to keep our better present and future players
Might be the right time to put young Armstrong on a deal more in line with other team mates.
I suspect he’s a long way below Hackney, George, Dibbling, Rohl and Johnstone
Admittedly every player in every Club has a price but unless we are close to falling foul again financially we have to do everything we can to keep our better present and future players
Might be the right time to put young Armstrong on a deal more in line with other team mates.
I suspect he’s a long way below Hackney, George, Dibbling, Rohl and Johnstone
Martin Berry
18 Posted 30/08/2026 at 11:48:22
18 Posted 30/08/2026 at 11:48:22
TFG have shown their cards and they're not good at bluffing. I fear any trust in them has gone beyond repair regardless of who is brought in by deadline day.
The fact the Armstrong sale was even being considered by them has left a toxic atmosphere with the fans. Dan Friedman needs to stand up and be recorded saying we will not be selling our best talent... but they won't give guarantees.
The great thing about this sorry episode is that the Evertonians have stood up to the owners and made their feelings clear -- no fan support, no club! is something TFG need to understand and quickly. Well done to the supporters, the new owners are going to be scrutinised very closely and be kept in close sight.
The fact the Armstrong sale was even being considered by them has left a toxic atmosphere with the fans. Dan Friedman needs to stand up and be recorded saying we will not be selling our best talent... but they won't give guarantees.
The great thing about this sorry episode is that the Evertonians have stood up to the owners and made their feelings clear -- no fan support, no club! is something TFG need to understand and quickly. Well done to the supporters, the new owners are going to be scrutinised very closely and be kept in close sight.
Gavin Johnson
19 Posted 30/08/2026 at 12:41:18
19 Posted 30/08/2026 at 12:41:18
I see that it's now being reported that Everton will now reject the offer for Armstrong after the push back from our fanbase. It also added that Harrison's preference is to stay at Everton. Some good news at least.
John Collins
20 Posted 30/08/2026 at 12:45:39
20 Posted 30/08/2026 at 12:45:39
"However, Everton’s board — led by Dan Friedkin and The Friedkin Group — made a unanimous decision over the weekend to keep the academy graduate on Merseyside, viewing him as a vital piece of the club's long-term project"
They didn't view him as a vital piece of a long term project until the fan backlash yesterday.
Bollocks, they caved under pressure
They didn't view him as a vital piece of a long term project until the fan backlash yesterday.
Bollocks, they caved under pressure
Scott Hamilton
21 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:03:24
21 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:03:24
It’s good to see that we can influence our owners. It’s just a shame we had to kick up a fuss to stop them from making such a crazy decision.
Sod’s Law says that Armstrong gets crocked against United and doesn’t play again til March!
Sod’s Law says that Armstrong gets crocked against United and doesn’t play again til March!
Christy Ring
22 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:04:44
22 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:04:44
The Friedkin Group showed their true colours yesterday, and only for the fans' backlash, Armstrong would have been sold.
Selling Ndiaye today shows they have no ambition in moving us forward, and reportedly trying to sign the Fulham reserve, says everything about Kinnear.
Selling Ndiaye today shows they have no ambition in moving us forward, and reportedly trying to sign the Fulham reserve, says everything about Kinnear.
Dean Williams
23 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:14:26
23 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:14:26
On another note, if we have to lose somebody id rather it was iliman, as hes a little inconsistent, lacks end product and doesn't score enough for his talent. There's a reason he moves from club to club. Utft
Mike Allison
24 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:26:50
24 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:26:50
Agree with the general sentiment here. The owners have just lost the fans. It will be very hard to repair.
They’ve shown that they just don’t understand the fundamental basics of Everton Football Club. They’ve shown that they’re nowhere near as intelligent or competent as we’d hoped. They’ve shown that they have no real plan and seem to have a ‘club policy’ completely at odds with the manager's skill-set.
Morale has been low all summer and is getting worse.
They’ve shown that they just don’t understand the fundamental basics of Everton Football Club. They’ve shown that they’re nowhere near as intelligent or competent as we’d hoped. They’ve shown that they have no real plan and seem to have a ‘club policy’ completely at odds with the manager's skill-set.
Morale has been low all summer and is getting worse.
Ajay Gopal
25 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:40:02
25 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:40:02
I am absolutely convinced that the climbdown by the owners was because of the backlash from the fans, making this a watershed moment in our history.
Well done to the away fans yesterday who played a huge part in preventing our brightest prospect from being sold. I would also like to acknowledge the influential role played by journalists like Phil McNulty and others.
Not sure if Moyes deserves any credit here, because he seemed to be on the wall, but his obvious displeasure at losing players maybe tilted the balance in favour of keeping Armstrong.
Well done to the away fans yesterday who played a huge part in preventing our brightest prospect from being sold. I would also like to acknowledge the influential role played by journalists like Phil McNulty and others.
Not sure if Moyes deserves any credit here, because he seemed to be on the wall, but his obvious displeasure at losing players maybe tilted the balance in favour of keeping Armstrong.
Anthony Dwyer
26 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:40:50
26 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:40:50
Piss weak owners who need fucking off imo.
Wanted to take the money for Armstrong, now looking to move Ndiaye on, why after barely spending a penny do we have to sell anyone?
We should be buying Richalison, keeping all our best players, and cashing in on fringe players like Keane, Patterson and Beto in order to compete.
Unfortunately, the owners do not give a fuck about us... much more interested in Roma.
Wanted to take the money for Armstrong, now looking to move Ndiaye on, why after barely spending a penny do we have to sell anyone?
We should be buying Richalison, keeping all our best players, and cashing in on fringe players like Keane, Patterson and Beto in order to compete.
Unfortunately, the owners do not give a fuck about us... much more interested in Roma.
Micky Norman
27 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:50:18
27 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:50:18
Everton's away support is the best in the league. So many times they've dragged us to a result. But yesterday outshone anything they've done before. Thank you boys and girls. You have pulled off a marvel.
Don't be slagging off TFG though. I can think of plenty of club ownerships who would not have done this U-turn. And maybe Moyes had a hand in the machinations behind closed doors last night, so don't presume he had nothing to do with it.
Question marks still over Kinnear though. Would he really have done the deed? Let's just hope the financial situation isn't as bleak as some have said or we may just have postponed the inevitable, albeit not for a handful of beans to Forest.
Don't be slagging off TFG though. I can think of plenty of club ownerships who would not have done this U-turn. And maybe Moyes had a hand in the machinations behind closed doors last night, so don't presume he had nothing to do with it.
Question marks still over Kinnear though. Would he really have done the deed? Let's just hope the financial situation isn't as bleak as some have said or we may just have postponed the inevitable, albeit not for a handful of beans to Forest.
Eric Myles
28 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:53:56
28 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:53:56
"However, Everton’s board — led by Dan Friedkin and The Friedkin Group — made a unanimous decision over the weekend to keep the academy graduate on Merseyside, viewing him as a vital piece of the club's long-term project."
"By finally rejecting Forest's £40M proposal, the board may be hoping to send a message that elite academy progression takes priority over short-term financial gains as the club builds towards its future."
Bollocks they do, if he was a vital piece of the jigsaw they wouldn't have gotten anywhere near advanced talks, they'd have laughed down the 'phone at the first call and hung up.
He's just another asset on the spreadsheet.
"By finally rejecting Forest's £40M proposal, the board may be hoping to send a message that elite academy progression takes priority over short-term financial gains as the club builds towards its future."
Bollocks they do, if he was a vital piece of the jigsaw they wouldn't have gotten anywhere near advanced talks, they'd have laughed down the 'phone at the first call and hung up.
He's just another asset on the spreadsheet.
Darrel Pugh
29 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:54:30
29 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:54:30
I think there is a huge positive here, are the owners weak? Yes. Does the CEO lie through his teeth? Yes, of course he does. Is Moyes frustrating as hell, but capable? Yes.
But look what fans can do, pressure owners into making the right decision. As far as I am concerned, it's a big win, we beat them. It's our club, they are just custodians and nothing else.
But look what fans can do, pressure owners into making the right decision. As far as I am concerned, it's a big win, we beat them. It's our club, they are just custodians and nothing else.
Jonathan Oppenheimer
30 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:56:33
30 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:56:33
Maybe I don’t fully understand how these decisions are made — does anyone? — but while this was madness to contemplate in the first place, I hope that when the dust settles that as much anger is directed at Kinnear and his team as the owners.
Somebody help me out here. Whom does Forest contact first when tabling a bid? I assume it’s not TFG. Lost in some of this, as much as we don’t want to acknowledge it, is that Armstrong and his agent had to sign off on this. Maybe that’s left for another discussion, and maybe he’s been rejecting improved contract offers, or asking for improved terms and not getting them. Or maybe he just wasn’t willing to turn down £100,000/week at his age, playing for a basket case of a club (and was willing to leave for another one). But back to the bid.
I would think Kinnear and his team get word of the bid, then bring it to ownership, since they’re the football men, ownership the money men. Their recommendation to TFG should’ve been to tell Forest to fuck off. Unless of course we’re so hard up for money that they were recommending the move, say, to allow for us to bring in a not-Kenny Tete RB, plus Balogun or a not-aging Richy forward, plus Grealish, plus LB. Which on the face of it is still madness from a club perspective, but from a footballing perspective might make sense to aim for Europe this season, given how many central midfielders we already have and how much we need to improve in other areas, especially knowing we’re losing Ndiaye.
TFG I’m guessing don’t know much about our squad, our fan base, our culture. They don’t seem to give a shit about our club besides making money. That’s probably true of a good number of owners, and we’d be careful to wish for otherwise, especially given what we went through with our last ownership group. That’s not an defenss of them, but just the sad truth. All of which makes me wonder whether we’ve been totally bullshitted about our finances.
Because the alternative to me is that Kinnear and the recruitment team, who at least understand English football, thought selling our best young local player in a generation, was a good idea that wouldn’t generate immense backlash. And I shudder to think our leadership team, or whatever the fuck we’re calling them, are that fucking stupid.
Somebody help me out here. Whom does Forest contact first when tabling a bid? I assume it’s not TFG. Lost in some of this, as much as we don’t want to acknowledge it, is that Armstrong and his agent had to sign off on this. Maybe that’s left for another discussion, and maybe he’s been rejecting improved contract offers, or asking for improved terms and not getting them. Or maybe he just wasn’t willing to turn down £100,000/week at his age, playing for a basket case of a club (and was willing to leave for another one). But back to the bid.
I would think Kinnear and his team get word of the bid, then bring it to ownership, since they’re the football men, ownership the money men. Their recommendation to TFG should’ve been to tell Forest to fuck off. Unless of course we’re so hard up for money that they were recommending the move, say, to allow for us to bring in a not-Kenny Tete RB, plus Balogun or a not-aging Richy forward, plus Grealish, plus LB. Which on the face of it is still madness from a club perspective, but from a footballing perspective might make sense to aim for Europe this season, given how many central midfielders we already have and how much we need to improve in other areas, especially knowing we’re losing Ndiaye.
TFG I’m guessing don’t know much about our squad, our fan base, our culture. They don’t seem to give a shit about our club besides making money. That’s probably true of a good number of owners, and we’d be careful to wish for otherwise, especially given what we went through with our last ownership group. That’s not an defenss of them, but just the sad truth. All of which makes me wonder whether we’ve been totally bullshitted about our finances.
Because the alternative to me is that Kinnear and the recruitment team, who at least understand English football, thought selling our best young local player in a generation, was a good idea that wouldn’t generate immense backlash. And I shudder to think our leadership team, or whatever the fuck we’re calling them, are that fucking stupid.
Dave Lynch
31 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:58:44
31 Posted 30/08/2026 at 13:58:44
Look...Armstrong situation was a BIG mistake and they've backed down, Illie wants to go, so fuck him...Richie is light years ahead of our other 2 strikers, even at his age.
Patterson may move on because Moyes obviously doesn't fancy him. Keto, is an unknown, let's see how he fares.
Strange times but they may be thinking that Moyes contract will not be renewed so won't back him with big money, I don't know, I'm guessing.
Patterson may move on because Moyes obviously doesn't fancy him. Keto, is an unknown, let's see how he fares.
Strange times but they may be thinking that Moyes contract will not be renewed so won't back him with big money, I don't know, I'm guessing.
Mark Ryan
32 Posted 30/08/2026 at 14:22:39
32 Posted 30/08/2026 at 14:22:39
I'd agree with your thoughts Mr Lynch
Anthony Dwyer
33 Posted 30/08/2026 at 14:24:21
33 Posted 30/08/2026 at 14:24:21
Who says Ndiaye wants to go ?
He's not put in a request, he has 3 years on his deal, he gave 100% yesterday so why sell him ?
Piss weak ownership.
He's not put in a request, he has 3 years on his deal, he gave 100% yesterday so why sell him ?
Piss weak ownership.
John Keating
34 Posted 30/08/2026 at 14:24:46
34 Posted 30/08/2026 at 14:24:46
We have the right result, however, let’s get it right, it should never have come to this
Forest have every right to make an offer 1000%. The arseholes running the Club should have immediately rejected the bid and made it known
I do not know how much influence this CEO has in decisions but obviously he has very little or is a complete non entity
Get this kid signed up on a decent contract and tell everyone he’s ours. Similarly Illy.
Tell City to F off or match what the paid for Grealish
Forest have every right to make an offer 1000%. The arseholes running the Club should have immediately rejected the bid and made it known
I do not know how much influence this CEO has in decisions but obviously he has very little or is a complete non entity
Get this kid signed up on a decent contract and tell everyone he’s ours. Similarly Illy.
Tell City to F off or match what the paid for Grealish
Josh Horne
35 Posted 30/08/2026 at 14:42:54
35 Posted 30/08/2026 at 14:42:54
Presumably he is now going out on loan to Port Vale.
Jimmy Hardacre
36 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:03:59
36 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:03:59
Kinnear does not want to make enemies of us. Leeds supporters were glad to get rid of him.
After this fiasco, he is obviously only in it for the money... make no mistake. Fool -- we are not Leeds... Wake Up!!!
After this fiasco, he is obviously only in it for the money... make no mistake. Fool -- we are not Leeds... Wake Up!!!
Dave Whitwell
37 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:05:14
37 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:05:14
I’ll wait to see the actual numbers for Illy/Richarlison but this doesn’t make either footballing or financial sense for Everton.
If rumours are correct and we get Richie/Grealish/Tete in and Illy out that’s 3 30ish year olds with no sell on value and big wages, this is what we did years ago it should not be what we’re doing now.
I’d accept Grealish as the one but the other 2 no thanks we should be investing in younger talent with sell on values. I never rated Richarlison in the 1st place, is he better than Barry and Beto yes, but the fact that the younger generation rate him amongst Everton greats makes me really sad, he is no where near an Everton great.
It shouldn’t shock me after all my years as an Evertonian as this is the usual crap we are served up with, but the fact that we don’t have a plan to go an recruit decent young players off the back of an Illy sale is disgraceful. The entire scouting network should be sacked if this is the best they can do.
Pay any one of us money to go and watch football games for a living and we could all come up with better prospects than this. It’s an absolute joke.
If rumours are correct and we get Richie/Grealish/Tete in and Illy out that’s 3 30ish year olds with no sell on value and big wages, this is what we did years ago it should not be what we’re doing now.
I’d accept Grealish as the one but the other 2 no thanks we should be investing in younger talent with sell on values. I never rated Richarlison in the 1st place, is he better than Barry and Beto yes, but the fact that the younger generation rate him amongst Everton greats makes me really sad, he is no where near an Everton great.
It shouldn’t shock me after all my years as an Evertonian as this is the usual crap we are served up with, but the fact that we don’t have a plan to go an recruit decent young players off the back of an Illy sale is disgraceful. The entire scouting network should be sacked if this is the best they can do.
Pay any one of us money to go and watch football games for a living and we could all come up with better prospects than this. It’s an absolute joke.
Ian Horan
38 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:08:47
38 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:08:47
This to me is TFG having to make a saving face statement maybe after Harrison said no to the transfer !!
Nigel Scowen
39 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:13:35
39 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:13:35
John@34
‘Get this kid signed up on a decent contract and tell everyone he’s ours.’
Absolutely John, what are we doing leaving people on tiny contracts when they have broken into the first team, it should trigger an automatic discussion.
Its the Premier League, we are just inviting their agents to get in their heads over a move.
‘Get this kid signed up on a decent contract and tell everyone he’s ours.’
Absolutely John, what are we doing leaving people on tiny contracts when they have broken into the first team, it should trigger an automatic discussion.
Its the Premier League, we are just inviting their agents to get in their heads over a move.
Ian Bennett
40 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:21:39
40 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:21:39
Every player has his price, but that is selling at his maximum.
Anyone thinking that is £40m on Harrison Armstrong should be nowhere near professional football.
Anyone thinking that is £40m on Harrison Armstrong should be nowhere near professional football.
Sean Mitchell
41 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:37:13
41 Posted 30/08/2026 at 15:37:13
I can’t see these useless owners at the club for much longer.
Surely there’s better suited billionaires out there who give a shit about the club.
These pricks in charge certainly don’t.
Sell up and fuck off.
Take the shambles recruitment team with you.
Bunch of weak, useless wankers.
Surely there’s better suited billionaires out there who give a shit about the club.
These pricks in charge certainly don’t.
Sell up and fuck off.
Take the shambles recruitment team with you.
Bunch of weak, useless wankers.
Jack Convery
42 Posted 30/08/2026 at 16:05:19
42 Posted 30/08/2026 at 16:05:19
TFFT. Now give the lad a deal in line with Dibling and George.
He should be standing 10 feet tall after all this. Blue love -- nothing like it.
He should be standing 10 feet tall after all this. Blue love -- nothing like it.
Ray Jacques
43 Posted 30/08/2026 at 16:08:07
43 Posted 30/08/2026 at 16:08:07
This Kinnear guy sounds a right knobhead. How out of touch can you be?
David West
44 Posted 30/08/2026 at 16:20:04
44 Posted 30/08/2026 at 16:20:04
Ian @40.
Why do Forest want him for £40M? Ask yourself that!
The reason, much like the reason they paid over £35M for Anderson: they see the huge potential, even at £40M. In 1 or 2 years, Armstrong could be £100M, the way the fees are going, it could be £150M in 2 years.
You have to assess every concrete bid for any player, but it should have been thrown out immediately.
Why do Forest want him for £40M? Ask yourself that!
The reason, much like the reason they paid over £35M for Anderson: they see the huge potential, even at £40M. In 1 or 2 years, Armstrong could be £100M, the way the fees are going, it could be £150M in 2 years.
You have to assess every concrete bid for any player, but it should have been thrown out immediately.
Ian Bennett
45 Posted 30/08/2026 at 16:28:41
45 Posted 30/08/2026 at 16:28:41
Agree mate. He is a more complete player than Anderson. His ceiling his high with the technique, pace and power.
Sean Kearns
46 Posted 30/08/2026 at 18:21:53
46 Posted 30/08/2026 at 18:21:53
If it was Brighton, they would be selling N’Diaye for £100 million, then selling Harrison in a year or two for another £100 million…. The fact we can only get lower values for class players makes me feel like shady things are going on around the league. No way Savinho was worth 85 million after scoring 2 goals but illy is worth a paltry 60.
Pete Ambrose
47 Posted 30/08/2026 at 22:44:29
47 Posted 30/08/2026 at 22:44:29
It’s great Harrison is staying but it was only because of the potential backlash from fans. This and the now sale of N’Diaye shows how little TFG regard Everton as a potential top team. They have shown a complete lack of ambition for the club.
Can anyone explain why they sell the best player, who should have commanded a fee of nearer £100+mill, for £60mill to a club who are a potentially direct rivals for league position at the end of the season. TFG seem to be showing themselves as completely inept in selling and buying players. Not only are they trying to buy on the cheap they are selling on the cheap. Nottingham forest get £115million for a player with far less ability than N’Diaye who is regarded by most pundits and clubs as the hottest property in the PL today. TFG have no ambition for Everton as a football team just Everton as a business that they probably intend to sell when the price is right. TFG are certainly not the owners Everton fans hoped they were getting. The future of the club is not as bright as first appeared when TFG came in which is very demoralising AGAIN.
Can anyone explain why they sell the best player, who should have commanded a fee of nearer £100+mill, for £60mill to a club who are a potentially direct rivals for league position at the end of the season. TFG seem to be showing themselves as completely inept in selling and buying players. Not only are they trying to buy on the cheap they are selling on the cheap. Nottingham forest get £115million for a player with far less ability than N’Diaye who is regarded by most pundits and clubs as the hottest property in the PL today. TFG have no ambition for Everton as a football team just Everton as a business that they probably intend to sell when the price is right. TFG are certainly not the owners Everton fans hoped they were getting. The future of the club is not as bright as first appeared when TFG came in which is very demoralising AGAIN.
Si Cooper
48 Posted 30/08/2026 at 00:40:34
48 Posted 30/08/2026 at 00:40:34
I’m ecstatic the lad isn’t being sold but we have to have some indication from the club why he was even considered as an asset we should think about cashing in.
Is it as simple as the club will listen to good offers for any players? That doesn’t seem right at this stage of the window when it can’t simply come down to receiving an offer around the price that the club think is reasonable for the player.
So what was the plan? Does the plug being pulled on this move mean a whole chain collapses?
Surely the club didn’t think the fan base would be so excited over Grealish and Richarlison that they wouldn’t care who had to be sacrificed to make it happen?
Is it as simple as the club will listen to good offers for any players? That doesn’t seem right at this stage of the window when it can’t simply come down to receiving an offer around the price that the club think is reasonable for the player.
So what was the plan? Does the plug being pulled on this move mean a whole chain collapses?
Surely the club didn’t think the fan base would be so excited over Grealish and Richarlison that they wouldn’t care who had to be sacrificed to make it happen?
Bob Parrington
49 Posted 30/08/2026 at 01:08:05
49 Posted 30/08/2026 at 01:08:05
Jees! Common sense finally prevails. How, on this earth, was the sale ever considered, as per Si's(#48) first sentence. Good post Si 👍
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1 Posted 30/08/2026 at 09:33:31