Everton make stunning U-turn over Harrison Armstrong transfer after furious fan protests

Everton have reportedly 'pulled the plug' on a transfer that would have seen midfielder Harrison Armstrong sign for Nottingham Forest following fan backlash.

Journalist John Percy has reported that Everton's board have decided that they will not sell Armstrong following the response from the club's supporters.

He says that Everton accepted a bid worth £35 million for the midfielder but the club ownership 'pulled the plug'. It is claimed the fan reaction was 'understood to be a major factor'.

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Everton's ownership - including chairman Dan Friedkin - decided to make a 'unanimous call' to keep Armstrong at the Hill Dickinson Stadium after talks were held throughout 'much of the day' on Saturday.

His 'importance to Everton's project' and 'value as a homegrown player' are said to be two of the key reasons why he is staying - though whether the club's board deemed the transfer fee to be more important before the backlash is unclear.

Reports of Forest's interest in England youth international midfielder Armstrong emerged on Saturday morning, hours before Everton's Premier League away fixture at Bournemouth.

The Athletic's David Ornstein originally claimed that Forest were 'exploring' a move to sign Armstrong.

Toffees fans reacted with vehement anger over the prospective sale of their brightest young talent, with Armstrong tipped to play for England in the coming years.

It drew parallels with Everton's decision to sell Wayne Rooney to Manchester United in 2004 - though, while Rooney was joining one of the top sides in English football with Premier League and European ambitions, Armstrong would be joining a side who finished 16th, and below Everton, in the top flight last season.

Toffees fans who made the trip to Dean Court to watch their side's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth chanted for Armstrong before, during and after the match, and demanded that the board back out of negotiations to sell him. Everton CEO Angus Kinnear was present at the fixture.

Respected Everton insider El Bobble reported that Armstrong had opted to play in the match, despite earlier claims from other outlets that he had been pulled out of the squad.

'Their manager's an Evertonian...' - David Moyes on Harrison Armstrong saga

Toffees manager David Moyes appeared to suggest that the prospective sale of the 19-year-old was purely a club decision when asked by reporters post-match if he had a message for the fans over the saga.

"I think you always have to consider supporters; supporters aren't always wrong," he said.

"Managers have to make decisions on players sometimes and they feel like huge decisions. But there are sometimes bigger decisions to be made and the club will, I'm sure, make what they think is the right one.

"If I'd say something to them [the fans], I'd say - their manager's an Evertonian."