Forest are closing in on a significant transfer as they work to complete a £40m deal for Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
The 19-year-old has emerged as a priority target for Oliver Glasner’s side as the transfer window approaches its final days.
Armstrong caught the attention of several Premier League clubs after returning from a loan spell at Preston North End back in January.
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom was effusive in his praise when Armstrong first arrived, saying: “Harrison is a special talent who we’re really excited to be bringing on board.”
The youngster has since forced his way into Everton’s first-team plans, producing an impressive display against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season.
Armstrong played the full 90 minutes against Crystal Palace, recording one assist, an 89.5% pass completion rate, two tackles, and an impressive 11 recoveries.
It was that ability to win possession back that appears to have convinced Forest, with Glasner’s side prioritising that trait in their midfield recruitment throughout the summer.
Elliot Anderson, who joined Forest from Newcastle for £35m, was a standout performer in that department last season, completing more recoveries than any other outfield player in the Premier League and across Europe.
With Anderson now commanding a reported value of £116m, the club are eager to add another midfielder capable of matching those standards, and Armstrong fits the profile closely.
Forest have already been active in this window, signing Liam Delap from Chelsea for a club-record fee of £50m, but they are determined to add further reinforcements before the deadline passes.
A £40m fee for Armstrong would make him the second-most expensive player in the club’s history, behind only Delap, underlining the scale of the investment Glasner’s side are prepared to make.
Xaver Schlager’s position on the fringes of the first team has added further urgency to Forest’s midfield search, with an additional option in that area seen as essential.
Forest are also monitoring Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz, who was notably absent from Palace’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, a detail that has not gone unnoticed at the City Ground.
With time running short, Forest must move quickly to finalise their business and ensure Armstrong is in Glasner’s squad before the window closes.