Everton Eyes Late Transfer for Brooke Norton-Cuffy from Genoa
Everton has received a promising boost in their bid to acquire Brooke Norton-Cuffy from Genoa, as reported by Kaustubh Pandey for Sport Witness, with sources from Italian outlets Genova24 and Secolo XIX providing insights. Genoa’s head coach, Daniele De Rossi, confirmed that a transfer late in the window is a real possibility and mentioned that talks could accelerate after their Serie A match against Napoli. This statement indicates a willingness to negotiate, especially since the club has already identified Ignace Van Der Brempt from Como as a suitable replacement.
De Rossi stated, as reported by Genova24: “As long as he’s here, he’ll play. He’s training well. I think he’s better than last year. I know the transfer market issues well. At most, I’ll talk about it after the match.”
The financial aspect of this transfer is appealing for Everton. Originally purchased for just €2m, Genoa is asking €20m for Norton-Cuffy, allowing them to make a substantial profit and negotiate with a degree of ease. For Everton, the anticipated fee of £17m seems reasonable in today’s market for a player with viable Premier League credentials.
Norton-Cuffy, aged 22, holds a position as an England under-21 international and has gained senior experience through several loan spells after starting his career at Arsenal’s academy. His familiarity with English football means he would not require an adaptation period, thereby facilitating a quick transition. He has made 44 appearances for Genoa across two Serie A seasons, contributing two goals, one assist, and starting in 25 matches this season.
Everton’s situation at right-back has reached a critical point. The team has been forced to fill the position with players not traditionally suited for the role, a clear indication of the squad’s constraints. David Moyes, the team’s manager, is not just interested in Norton-Cuffy; he urgently needs him to address this ongoing issue.
Moyes’ tactics require dynamic and high-energy full-backs capable of maintaining pressure throughout the match. Norton-Cuffy’s speed and athleticism make him an ideal candidate for this role. While his Sofascore average is 6.8, it reflects more on Genoa’s challenging season as opposed to Norton-Cuffy’s potential and ability.
In today’s market, a £17m investment is a sensible decision for Everton. Seeking alternatives such as Guela Doue at a higher price would be imprudent, especially as the club prepares for its new stadium. Securing Norton-Cuffy before the transfer window closes will be crucial to ensure that Everton’s right-back position is addressed satisfactorily ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Everton have received a significant late boost in their attempt to sign Brooke Norton-Cuffy from Genoa, according to a report by Kaustubh Pandey for Sport Witness, drawing on quotes translated from Italian outlets Genova24 and Secolo XIX. Genoa head coach Daniele De Rossi publicly confirmed that a late-window sale is a genuine possibility, and that discussions could move fast after their Serie A fixture against Napoli. That’s a fairly open door from a manager whose club have, crucially, already identified a replacement in Como’s Ignace Van Der Brempt.
Giving Everton transfer hope, he said – via Genova24: “As long as he’s here, he’ll play. He’s training well. I think he’s better than last year. I know the transfer market issues well. At most, I’ll talk about it after the match.”
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Everton eye £17m Genoa right-back in late transfer push
The financials make this one genuinely attractive for Everton. Genoa originally signed Norton-Cuffy for just €2m, so even at the €20m asking price, they would be pocketing a healthy profit and negotiating from a relaxed position. For Everton, the reported £17m fee is modest by current market standards for an English full-back with real Premier League-ready qualities.
Norton-Cuffy, 22, is an England under-21 international who spent time with Arsenal’s academy before building genuine senior experience across multiple loan spells in English football. That background means there is no adaptation period to account for, no bedding-in process, no language barrier. He has recorded 44 appearances across two Serie A seasons with Genoa, including 27 this campaign with two goals, one assist and 25 starts.
T4O opinion: Everton’s right-back situation is a structural crisis
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 27: Brooke Norton-Cuffy of Coventry City warms up prior to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Coventry City and Luton Town at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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David Moyes doesn’t just want Norton-Cuffy. He needs him, and the distinction matters here.
Everton’s right-back position has become something close to a disaster. The club have been patching the flank with central midfielders and centre-backs like Merlin Rohl deployed out of position, which tells its own story about how stretched the squad actually is. Moyes’ system demands physically intense, high-energy full-backs who can pin down an entire flank through ninety minutes. Norton-Cuffy’s recovery speed, directness in transition and sheer athletic verticality make him a perfect option for that system.
Yes, his Sofascore average sits at 6.8, but that metric reflects Genoa’s season rather than Norton-Cuffy’s ceiling. Carrying the defensive burden in a lower-table Italian side is a different job entirely, and the rigour of Italian defensive coaching doesn’t get mentioned enough when assessing young English players abroad.
£17m in this market is not a gamble; it’s sensible business. Pursuing alternatives like Guela Doue at potentially £40m-plus would be fiscally reckless for a club building carefully toward life in their new stadium. Everton need this signed before the window closes, because leaving that right-back slot unresolved going into 2026/27 leaves Moyes’ backline structurally compromised from the very first match.
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