Everton’s move for Super Eagles defender Ola Aina collapsed because the club pulled out of the separate transfer that was helping drive the deal, Footynaija reports.
David Moyes’ side had been in talks with Nottingham Forest over a move for the 29-year-old Nigerian right-back. However, the negotiations were linked to Forest’s attempt to sign Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong.
Forest had agreed a deal worth about £35m for Armstrong, with another £5m in possible add-ons. Everton had even given the 19-year-old permission to travel to Nottingham for a medical, while written confirmation had been sent to Forest.
That plan changed after Everton’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Bournemouth on Saturday, 29 August.
Armstrong started the game and played 87 minutes. During the match, travelling Everton supporters repeatedly sang his name and made it clear they did not want the academy graduate sold. The strength of the reaction forced owner The Friedkin Group to reconsider the transfer.
By Sunday morning, Everton had told Forest that Armstrong’s transfer was off.
That decision also ended the route that had been helping Everton pursue Aina. Football Insider reported that Everton had been using the Armstrong discussions to advance talks over bringing the Nigerian defender to Goodison Park. Once the club cancelled Armstrong’s move, Aina was no longer a target.
Aina had been viewed as a solution to Everton’s need for a right-back after Seamus Coleman retired at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Everton quickly turned to other options. Talks with Fulham over Netherlands international Kenny Tete advanced, with a deal worth about £9m reported as close to completion before Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
Aina, who has 100 Premier League appearances, therefore saw a potential move to Merseyside collapse because Everton’s decision to keep Armstrong brought the wider Forest negotiations to an end.
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