Everton still in race to seal late defender transfer despite advanced talks elsewhere - report

Everton are still chasing Genoa right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

Norton-Cuffy has been linked with Everton, as David Moyes‘ side desperately need a right-back this month.

Everton knows what it will take to sign the defender, as the Italian club would be willing to loan him for a £4m fee and a £13m buy option.

However, they face stiff competition for his signature.

Advanced talks held over Norton-Cuffy transfer

The likes of Inter Milan and Juventus are battling the blues to sign Norton-Cuffy.

Fabrizio Romano claimed on 29 January that Inter Milan were in advanced talks to sign the ex-Arsenal man on a permanent deal.

However, Di Marzio stated that Juventus are not giving up and the Toffees are still in the race for a late transfer.

That suggests that there are still twists and turns ahead in the last few days of the window, as the 2 February deadline approaches.

• Read More: ‘Everton must reassure Jake O’Brien with new deal after latest developments’

Why do Everton want to sign Norton-Cuffy?

For starters, Moyes’ side needs a right-back, as their current options are not good enough.

Jake O’Brien is naturally a centre-back, and does not have the attacking impetus that a traditional full-back typically boasts.

Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson are far too injury-prone to be relied upon, so the Merseysiders need a new option, so that the Irishman can return to his normal position.

Norton-Cuffy is familiar with the English game, due to his time in the Gunners’ youth ranks, and he was part of Lee Carsley’s England Under-21 squad that won the European Championships.

If he was not already on the radar of big clubs, his showings at that tournament would have put him there, and he has taken another step forward in Serie A this season.

The young defender has played 20 times, notching one goal and one assist so far this season, but the Blues have better weapons, so the latter figure may increase if he joins the L4 outfit.

Another bonus would be that he would count as homegrown and not take up a foreign player spot when it came to squad registration.

If the Blues can complete his signing ahead of their rivals, it would be a brilliant addition that could help Moyes’ side get closer to qualifying for Europe.

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.

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