Everton have abandoned a proposed £40m sale of midfielder Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest after a strong backlash from the club's supporters. The 19-year-old England Under-19 international is considered one of the most promising academy talents to emerge from Finch Farm in recent years, and news of the potential deal angered fans who chanted his name during Saturday's draw at Bournemouth and warned of a "riot" should the sale go ahead. The club's board has now unanimously decided he will stay at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Forest's bid included a potential sell-on clause, but the offer was withdrawn following the fan reaction. Armstrong has made 24 appearances for Everton and played 87 minutes at Bournemouth before being substituted. Manager David Moyes said afterwards that he understood supporters' frustration, acknowledging that "supporters aren't always wrong" while noting that bigger decisions are sometimes taken out of a manager's hands, and stressed his own loyalty as an Evertonian.