Lincoln links as Premier League move beckons
Supporters in Lincoln will recognise the name at once. Brooke Norton-Cuffy, the dynamic right-back who burst onto the scene during his loan stint with Lincoln City in early 2022, is attracting top-flight attention back in England. Reports indicate Everton are at the front of the queue for the 22-year-old, who has impressed in Serie A since joining Genoa in the summer of 2024.
The defender is currently understood to be valued by Genoa at around €20 million — roughly £17 million. Everton are said to be pushing hardest to secure his signature, with Fulham and Brentford also credited with interest. Norton-Cuffy’s form in Italy has previously prompted admiring glances from Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli, marking a striking ascent for a player who was cutting his teeth in League One not long ago.
From Sincil Bank springboard to Serie A
Lincoln supporters saw the emergence of Norton-Cuffy up close. Arriving from Arsenal on loan in January 2022, he initially looked a developmental addition before rapidly seizing a starting role. His strength and acceleration from full-back became a defining feature of the Imps’ second half of that campaign. He made 17 League One appearances for City, scored his first senior goal in a memorable victory over Sheffield Wednesday in March 2022, and produced the sort of surging runs — not least one against Wycombe Wanderers — that stood out to many at Sincil Bank.
That springboard led to further Championship experience with loan spells at Rotherham United, Coventry City and Millwall. Genoa then moved to secure him permanently from Arsenal for an initial €2 million, a deal reportedly containing add-ons and a sell-on clause that would return a percentage of any future fee to the Gunners.
Genoa return looks set to pay off
Since heading to Liguria, Norton-Cuffy has become a regular, racking up 41 Serie A appearances, with two goals and one assist. That output, coupled with his capacity to carry the ball and defend one-on-one in a tactically demanding league, appears to have elevated his market value substantially.
| Club | Competition | Notable stats/notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln City (loan) | League One | 17 appearances; first senior goal vs Sheffield Wednesday |
| Genoa | Serie A | 41 appearances; 2 goals, 1 assist |
Although he has yet to feature in the Premier League, the defender’s body of work across England’s second tier and Italy’s top flight has drawn clubs to the table this summer. A transfer at the stated price would represent a significant step for the former Arsenal academy graduate, who began his youth football at Chelsea before moving to north London and signing his first professional deal in January 2021.
Why this matters in Lincoln
For Lincoln City followers, Norton-Cuffy’s trajectory is a reminder of the club’s growing reputation as a platform for promising players to cut through. The right-back’s time at Sincil Bank showed how the right environment — regular minutes, clear responsibility and a style that encouraged him to drive forward — can accelerate a young player’s development. Should the move to Everton or another Premier League side materialise, it will be another example of a former loanee building a top-level career after shining in red and white.
It’s also a case study in how modern transfer structures ripple through careers. Genoa’s initial outlay of €2 million now looks shrewd, while Arsenal are in line to benefit from a sell-on if a deal is struck. While there is no indication of a financial impact for Lincoln from any prospective fee, the visibility of a former loanee moving for a substantial sum reinforces the club’s role in a wider player pathway.
What happens next
With Everton understood to be leading the pursuit, the next phase will hinge on Genoa’s valuation being met and the player’s preference amid interest from elsewhere in the Premier League. As of now, there is no confirmation of an agreement or timeframe. What is clear is that Norton-Cuffy, who made a swift impression during his half-season in Lincoln, has turned that early promise into sustained top-flight form in Italy — and that will make this one to watch from the LNER Stadium to the blue half of Merseyside.
- Everton are pushing to sign the 22-year-old Genoa right-back for around £17m.
- Former Lincoln loanee made 17 League One outings for City and struck his first senior goal here.
- Arsenal inserted a sell-on, with Genoa having paid an initial €2m in 2024.
From Sincil Bank potential to Serie A regular, Norton-Cuffy’s rise is now drawing Premier League suitors — and the eyes of Lincoln will be on where he lands next.
