Everton‘s summer has been somewhat stop-start. They initially started with two impressive additions in Hayden Hackney and Tyrique George, but have since only welcomed Christian Norgaard.
David Moyes now faces the prospect of starting the Premier League season without a completed squad, which is far from ideal as he aims to take the club back into European football.
That could also make for a hectic next two weeks before the window slams shut, with Brook Norton-Cuffy particularly one to watch. The Genoa man has been on Everton’s radar in recent months and could finally be on his way to solve their right-back problem.
|
Everton’s potential backline 26/27 |
Player |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
LB |
Vitaliy Mykolenko |
Reliable left-back who provides defensive solidity and experience on the flank. |
|
CB |
Jarrad Branthwaite |
Powerful young centre-back who offers strength, aerial ability and composure in possession. |
|
CB |
James Tarkowski |
Experienced leader who brings physicality, organisation and defensive reliability. |
|
RB |
Brooke Norton-Cuffy |
Athletic right-back who offers pace, attacking intent and the ability to provide width. |
The Toffees have had a right-back problem ever since Seamus Coleman entered the twilight years of his career. Now that the veteran defender has retired, they’ve finally been forced into the market.
With Jake O’Brien’s future lying at centre-back rather than in an unnatural right-back role, the addition of Norton-Cuffy would make a lot of sense. After swapping Arsenal for Genoa 2024, the England U21 international is finally ready to make his mark in the Premier League.
He hasn’t taken the easy route, but Everton’s O’Brien will be the first to admit that the easy route isn’t always the best route for a young English defender.
Like the versatile defender, Norton-Cuffy will be hoping that the long way back to the Premier League only results in a faster start.
Genoa take dramatic U-turn in Norton-Cuffy saga
After initial reports claimed that the Italian club were set to stand firm on their valuation of Norton-Cuffy, those on Merseyside have been handed a much-needed boost.
According to La Repubblica in Italy, as relayed by Sport Witness, Genoa are now desperate to sell Norton-Cuffy to Everton as soon as possible. Their initial stance has not lasted the test of time, and Everton can now land the right-back for just €20m (£17m) this month.
A sale has looked on the cards ever since Norton-Cuffy was left out of Genoa’s pre-season friendly against Deportivo La Coruna, with manager Daniele De Rossi citing transfer issues as the reason.
All roads are now seemingly leading to the Hill Dickinson. Everton are the favourites to land the fullback and look destined to finally solve their right-back problem.
For the 22-year-old, it’s the chance to prove Arsenal wrong. After never really getting his chance in North London, the Gunners’ former academy star may come back to haunt them in the most frightening fashion this season.
With time ticking by before transfer deadline day arrives, though, Everton will need to match Genoa’s asking price as soon as possible.
