Sean Dyche explains why Everton were tempted by Harrison Armstrong's potential £40m sale
Sean Dyche has admitted that he can see why Everton nearly sold Harrison Armstrong.
The Blues were tempted to cash in on the 19-year-old this summer, receiving a £40million bid from Nottingham Forest.
The potential sale was only stopped when supporters made their feelings clear in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, after the news had emerged.
Dyche has shared the reasons why the Friedkin Group considered allowing him to depart, though.
The 55-year-old managed 83 games in charge of the Blues, before being sacked by the new American owners in January 2025.
He also managed Forest after his dismissal from the Toffees, so he has a unique insight into the transfer, given his relationship with both clubs.
What did Sean Dyche say about Harrison Armstrong transfer saga at Everton?
Dyche believes that the Friedkin's saw it as an opportunity to cash in, given the club's previous issues with Profit and Sustainability regulations.
He also shared insight into how high Armstrong can go in the game, having handed the youngster a debut against Tottenham in August 2024.
Speaking on The Overlap's latest fan debate, which was released on Friday, he said: “Good player. I gave him his debut, Harrison.
“I think he has got a really strong chance of becoming a real top player.
“Still early yet but I can see why the clubs were sniffing, and I can see why, cheeky one, but maybe because of PSR, the history of Everton, homegrown talent, they may have thought it’s a bundle of money for the PSR, and all that sort of stuff.
“I didn’t think they were going to get him, by the way, Forest, being the club that were chasing him.
“I’m pleased he stayed, I think he’s got every chance of being a top player, I do.”
The last sentence shows that Dyche still feels the connection to the L3 outfit, as he was keen for Armstrong to stay put.
Why Armstrong sale would have been disastrous for Everton
Dyche and supporters are on the same page when it comes to Armstrong, he is seen as the future of the Merseysiders.
The data around his start to the current Premier League season suggests that is the case, too.
Armstrong has covered 60.4 kilometres this season, which is the most distance covered in the top-flights opening five matches, per FotMob data.
That will stand him in very good stead with the fans and David Moyes, as they appreciate players who leave it all on the pitch.
The engine room would not be the same without his presence, he has emerged as a legitimate option for his boyhood club and it is hard to see him not named in the starting line-up going forward.
If they had sold him to appease PSR, or the new UEFA Squad Cost Rules, it would have been one of the worst decisions in the club's history.