Everton make approach to sign £17.3m defender who Patrick Vieira improved - report
Everton have been linked with a move to sign Brooke Norton-Cuffy from Genoa.
David Moyes has yet to receive any support from The Friedkin Group in January from a recruitment perspective, though the Toffees have been linked with several additions.
Given their struggles in front of goal, attacking signings are going to be a must, with Romelu Lukaku linked with a stunning return to Everton, almost 10 years on from his departure.
However, the latest update concerns a move for Genoa right-back Norton-Cuffy, who has shone in the Serie A.
Genoa prepared to sanction Brooke Norton-Cuffy exit
Everton have had issues at right-back this season, with Seamus Coleman’s injury matched with that of Nathan Patterson, forcing Jake O’Brien to feature in an unfamiliar position.
Since the Irishman has returned to a central role, the Toffees have not lost a game, and they haven’t even conceded a goal.
As a result, it’s believed that Everton want to sign a new right-back, with a report from Give Me Sport stating that the Blues have made an approach for Norton-Cuffy.
Several Premier League clubs have also expressed an interest in the 22-year-old, who would be allowed to leave Genoa if they were to receive a fee in the region of £17.3million.
Norton-Cuffy is said to be open to the idea of returning to English football, though it is from his time in Italy where he developed as a player.
What influence did Patrick Vieira have on Norton-Cuffy?
Norton-Cuffy started his career at Arsenal, which is where the first connection with Patrick Vieira starts, but had several loan moves in the EFL.
His first saw him join Rotherham United, before having spells at Coventry City and Millwall.
The summer after his spell at The Den saw him join Genoa in a permanent transfer from the Gunners, where he would go on to play under Vieira.
Of course, Vieira didn’t last long as manager, but the Frenchman still had a lasting impact on Norton-Cuffy’s defensive ability, at least in the eyes of Andy Brassell.
Via talkSPORT, he said: “Norton-Cuffy clearly just needed a chance. I think the Vieira connection is important because he’s really come on in the last year.
“The way that he coached them to defend economically, sensibly, collectively, we knew already that Norton-Cuffy is good with the ball.
“But I think under Vieira, he’s really, really improved as a defender as well.”
Everton will face competition in the race to sign him, but it would be a major coup if they could win the race and almost certainly fix their right-back troubles for the foreseeable future.
Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.
The post Everton make approach to sign £17.3m defender who Patrick Vieira improved - report appeared first on Goodison News.
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