Former Lincoln City loanee Brooke Norton-Cuffy could be set for a big-money return to English football, with Everton reportedly stepping up their interest in the Genoa defender.
The 22-year-old has impressed since moving to Serie A in the summer of 2024 and is now believed to be valued at around €20 million, approximately £17 million, by his current club.
Everton are reported to be pushing hardest to complete a deal, although Fulham and Brentford have also been credited with an interest. Norton-Cuffy has previously attracted attention from Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli, among others, following his performances in Italy.
Arsenal would also be in line to receive a percentage of any transfer fee. Genoa paid an initial €2 million to sign the right-back from the Gunners, with the agreement reportedly containing potential add-ons and a sell-on clause.
Norton-Cuffy has made 41 Serie A appearances since arriving in Italy, scoring twice and providing one assist. Despite never featuring in the Premier League, he has now accumulated significant senior experience in England and Italy.
The defender began his youth career with Chelsea before joining Arsenal, where he signed his first professional contract in January 2021.
His first experience of senior football came at Sincil Bank after he joined us on loan in January 2022. He made his debut from the bench against Plymouth Argyle and initially appeared to be a longer-term development addition rather than someone expected to make an immediate impact.
That quickly changed. Norton-Cuffy’s strength, pace and willingness to drive forward from right-back made him a popular figure during the second half of the 2021/22 campaign. He scored his first senior goal in our victory against Sheffield Wednesday in March 2022, while one powerful run through the Wycombe Wanderers defence remains a particularly memorable moment from his time with the Imps.
Norton-Cuffy made 17 League One appearances for City before returning to Arsenal. Further loan spells with Rotherham United, Coventry City and Millwall followed, allowing him to build considerable Championship experience. He eventually left Arsenal permanently for Genoa, where his decision to move abroad has helped establish him as one of the more highly rated young English defenders playing elsewhere in Europe.
The latest speculation follows a rejected bid worth more than €15 million during the January transfer window. Genoa elected to keep Norton-Cuffy at that stage, with further interest anticipated during the summer. We also previously reported on his £20 million valuation, with Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United among the then-Premier League clubs linked with his signature.
Everton’s interest is not new, having first been reported during the winter. However, the latest suggestions indicate they are now increasing their efforts to bring Norton-Cuffy back to England. Should Genoa receive an offer close to their valuation, the former Imp could finally make his Premier League debut more than five years after signing his first professional contract with Arsenal.
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