Split image of Everton manager David Moyes smiling and Brooke Norton-Cuffy looking on while playing for Genoa
Split image of Everton manager David Moyes smiling and Brooke Norton-Cuffy looking on while playing for Genoa
Brooke Norton-Cuffy could soon return to the Premier League, with interest once again from Everton.
The Toffees have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old Genoa defender, who started his career at Arsenal.
After loan spells in League One and the Championship, the English right-back moved to Italy, where he has gone to new heights.
Norton-Cuffy never made a Premier League appearance during his time at Arsenal, but he could finally get that opportunity at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes desperately needs a new right-back at the Blues and the ex-Gunner's youngster is firmly on their radar.
The right-back's chances to feature in the Premier League seem to have been a long time coming, and that may finally come true.
With Seamus Coleman leaving the Toffees at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, they need reinforcements in the position.
During the right-back's brief loan spell at Lincoln City, he was managed by Michael Appleton, who foresaw big things for him.
The ex-English midfielder, who most recently managed Shrewsbury Town, was certain that the defender would one day play in the Premier League.
Speaking in February 2022, Appleton said, "He’s a player that personally, and I don’t like singling out too many people, but I'll be amazed if he doesn’t play in the Premier League."
Norton-Cuffy also clearly showed potential to one day be a regular for Arsenal, which will be music to the Merseyside outfit's ears.
Appleton added in March 2022, "But I've been saying it behind the scenes, I think he will play for Arsenal's first team on a regular basis. It might not be for a couple of years, but it's definitely going to happen."
Everton relied on James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite as their three main centre-backs last season, with Jake O'Brien providing cover when needed.
In the defensive quartet, Moyes has options he can surely be confident can form a competitive group for next season.
While O'Brien has played at right-back for the majority of his time under the Scottish manager, it would make sense to only do that as a last resort going forward.
At right-back, Coleman has left, but Nathan Patterson can arguably stay on as backup, with a quality addition an evident priority for the Toffees.
Vitalii Mykolenko and Adam Aznou are still at the Blues, but the Moroccan youngster's departure won't be surprising, leaving space for a new left-back to arrive.
Norton-Cuffy is absolutely perfect for what Everton need on the right, and the door is wide open to make it happen.