It looks set to be a hectic end to the window for Everton. They’ve already agreed a shock swap deal to sign Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace and send Dwight McNeil in the other direction, but still have plenty of targets on their radar.
Among those is a right-back. David Moyes was forced to play Jake O’Brien out of position to fill in down the right-hand side last season and that, in many ways, is a waste of the centre-back’s potential.
With no Seamus Coleman to turn to these days, Everton have been forced into the market. And whilst that’s seen targets like Barcelona’s Hector Fort threaten to steal the headlines, it’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy who has looked like one of the top targets in recent months.
Player | Age | Club | Position | Height | Key strengths | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jake O’Brien | 25 | Everton | CB / RB | 1.97m | Physicality, aerial ability, defensive strength, versatility | Defensive-minded full-back or centre-back |
Brooke Norton-Cuffy | 22 | Genoa | RB / RWB | 1.81m | Pace, dribbling, ball carrying, attacking threat | Aggressive attacking RB/wing-back |
Héctor Fort | 20 | Elche | RB / LB | 1.85m | Technical ability, pace, attacking runs, versatility | Modern possession-based RB |
As admirable as O’Brien has been at right-back, Everton need a modern option. That’s exactly what Norton-Cuffy and Fort are – leaving those at the Hill Dicksinson with a major decision to make.
If it does come down to the two targets, however, then Norton-Cuffy should be the easy standout. The 22-year-old has more experience than Fort and would be returning to English football for the first time since leaving Arsenal in 2024.
As an aggressive, attacking right-back, the Genoa man would be an excellent addition as Everton aim to qualify for European football this season.
Genoa drop Norton-Cuffy amid incoming Everton offer
According to Tuttomercatoweb, as relayed by Sport Witness, Genoa manager Daniele De Rossi has been forced to drop Norton-Cuffy amid an imminent offer from Everton.
The Toffees have taken pole position in the race for the fullback and are expected to launch a bid worth €12m (£10m). Given that Genoa value their defender at around €20m (£17m), though, there is set to be a stand-off between the clubs in negotiations.
De Rossi provided an update about Norton-Cuffy’s absence in a recent friendly against Deportivo La Coruna, admitting that he was forced to drop the defender.
“There are transfer issues. He’s doing well, he’s growing a lot, but I’ve been told there are transfer issues and we’ve rested him.”
It looks like it was a direct order from the club, as they make a decision over the defender’s immediate future. It’s a key boost for Everton, who have just been handed major encouragement in their pursuit.
With time ticking away in the transfer window, the Toffees may yet welcome an impressive right-back and replacement for Coleman at long last.
