Brooke Norton-Cuffy costs himself transfer after ‘typical Everton’ events
Everton were keeping a close eye on Genoa defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy throughout the winter transfer window.
Everton were said to have showed a strong interest in Norton-Cuffy, who was also on AC Milan’s radar last month.
However, it emerged on deadline day that Everton would not follow through with that interest in the England Under-21s international.
Further details on the situation have now emerged, with Everton having sent scouts to watch Norton-Cuffy up close multiple times.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy endures a ‘stinker’ in front of Everton figures
Norton-Cuffy has clearly been catching the eye in Serie A for Genoa given the links with numerous clubs, Everton being among them.
However, according to a club insider via The View From The Bullens’ Patreon account, Norton-Cuffy endured an “absolute stinker” when Everton scouts went to watch him last month.
The game in question was against Cagliari on 12 January, when Norton-Cuffy was taken off at half-time after struggling.
The source adds that it is “typical” the right-back produced his poor display on the day Everton figures were there to watch him.
It is added that scouts watched him more than once, but it was decided more time is going to be needed before deciding whether to invest in the former Chelsea and Arsenal academy product.
Everton could have perfect makeweight for Norton-Cuffy deal
If Everton do decide to pursue a move for Norton-Cuffy in the summer, they may have a magic card up their sleeve.
Nathan Patterson was linked with a move to Genoa late in the winter window, but ultimately remained at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Using Patterson – who let’s face it, is hardly going to turn his career around on Merseyside – as a makeweight at the end of the season makes perfect sense, although it may well be as part of a player-plus-cash offer.
Norton-Cuffy is clearly a man in demand, so Everton will need all the bargaining power they can get if they are to win the race for his signature.
But if any of that is to happen, the 22-year-old must ensure he does not endure any more off-days when watched up close.