Everton Open €15m Bid for Genoa’s Brooke Norton‑Cuffy

Everton’s Right‑Back Chase Intensifies

Everton have long been searching for a specialist right‑back after the departure of Seamus Coleman left a glaring gap on the flank. Manager David Moyes has been forced to improvise, dragging centre‑half Jake O’Brien out wide and even rotating James Garner to fill the breach. Earlier attempts to secure Kenny Tete from Fulham fell through as the English full‑back signed a new deal at Craven Cottage. The club’s struggle across two transfer windows highlights how vital a natural right‑back has become for a side contesting Premier League contention. Everton’s director of football is now pushing for a decisive move before the next window closes.

Norton‑Cuffy’s Profile and Price

Brooke Norton‑Cuffy, a 22‑year‑old England Under‑21 European Championship winner, has attracted Everton’s interest after a €2m move from Arsenal in August 2024. The Italian right‑back has logged 27 Serie A appearances, starting 25 of them, and has covered more than 2,200 minutes of competitive football. He scored twice – netting a neat finish against Torino in February – and added one assist, while his WhoScored rating sits at 6.6 and his FotMob average is 6.8. However, five bookings and a red card raise concerns for a defender joining a squad that cannot afford lapses. His physical traits – speed, directness and a willingness to run at opposition wingers – are well‑documented.

Negotiation Dynamics and Outlook

Genoa have set their price at roughly €20m for Norton‑Cuffy, a 900 % increase on the €2m they paid just two years ago, though Transfermarkt values the player at the €15m Everton proposed in their formal opening bid. Sean Lunt, reporting via Sport Witness, notes a quietly positive atmosphere around the talks, suggesting the gap is narrowing. Moyes cannot afford another transfer window without addressing the right‑back weakness, making a settlement around €16‑17m a pragmatic choice to secure the player before pre‑season begins. Getting Norton‑Cuffy across the line now would end the era of makeshift full‑backs and bolster Everton’s defensive resilience. Everton’s recruitment team is reportedly ready to meet Genoa halfway to wrap up the deal.

During a Serie A fixture against Udinese at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium on March 20, 2026, Norton‑Cuffy was challenged by Genoa teammate Jakub Piotrowski and Udinese’s Nicolo Bertola. The match highlighted his ability to hold his own in a physical contest, a point that resonates with Everton’s scouting report. That performance under pressure is one of the reasons the Toffees are eager to add him to their backline.

Everton’s €15m opening bid signals a serious intent to close the right‑back loophole for the upcoming campaign. If Genoa accept a figure in the €16‑17m range, the deal could be finalised before the pre‑season schedule kicks off, giving Moyes a genuine option on the flank. Securing Norton‑Cuffy would end the era of makeshift full‑backs and bolster Everton’s defensive resilience. The club’s fans are already buzzing with optimism that a deal could be announced imminently.