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Everton Make Offer For Ex-Arsenal Star Impressing In Serie A

norton-cuffy everton

Everton have made an offer to Italian side Genoa over the transfer of former Arsenal defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

The England under-21 international joined Genoa last season from Championship outfit Millwall.

A product of the Arsenal academy, Norton-Cuffy also had spells with Coventry, Rotherham and Lincoln City.

He never made a senior appearance for the Gunners, but met future Genoa boss and Arsenal legend Patrick Viera while in the youth setup.

Now 22, Norton-Cuffy has made 33 Serie A appearances for Genoa, and impressed many this season.

None more so than David Moyes, with the Everton boss keen to bring him to Merseyside.

New signings are a big priority for Moyes before the window shuts, with Everton linked to Fulham’s Harry Wilson among other targets.

But it’s Norton-Cuffy who has emerged as a leading candidate to join the Toffees at right-back.

Everton Make Move For Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Veteran fullback Seamus Coleman has spent much of this season injured.

Everton have therefore had to deploy centre-back Jake O’Brien on the right on numerous occasions.

But having restored the 6’6 defender to his more familiar central role, the Toffees have looked far better.

Right-back therefore remains a key area to strengthen, and Norton-Cuffy could be the solution.

Genoa are not thought to be opposed to letting the English fullback leave – for the right price.

A reported price tag of around £17 million is what the Italian club want, though Everton are yet to meet this.

Other possible signings, such as Everton’s pursuit of Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri, may complicate things.

But the player is believed to be keen on a return to England and a chance in the Premier League.

Having developed and grown as a player in Italy, he now feels ready to come home and make an impact.

Norton-Cuffy Owes A Lot To Patrick Viera Links

With his youth spent in the Arsenal academy, Norton-Cuffy interacted with former Gunners captain Viera.

The French World Cup winner never directly worked for Arsenal’s youth system, but retains close links to the club and was often seen interacting with academy players at the club.

Viera would later manage Norton-Cuffy when the pair were reunited in Genoa.

Several sources have indicated that Norton-Cuffy’s defensive improvement in recent years has been a direct result of Viera’s tutelage.

Everton will face plenty of competition if they wish to sign the young defender.

But bringing an England youth star home for a modest fee would be an excellent signing.

And at 22, Norton-Cuffy could be a long-term solution to one of David Moyes’ most troublesome areas at right-back.

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