Napoli have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Brooke Norton-Cuffy from Genoa, with the English wing-back identified as a priority reinforcement for incoming head coach Massimiliano Allegri and the club ready to meet Genoa's valuation of around €20 million, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.
Norton-Cuffy, 22, had a breakthrough season under Daniele De Rossi at the Marassi, improving game by game to become one of the coach's most trusted performers in a back five. His output at the attacking end was notable — his goal at Udinese proved decisive in a 2-1 win — and De Rossi's tactical flexibility gave Norton-Cuffy additional range, deploying him on the left in the second half of the season as well as in his natural right-sided role.
Fiorentina had been monitoring Norton-Cuffy earlier in the campaign, but Napoli have overtaken them and are now the club pushing hardest. The fit with Allegri's approach is considered strong: the 3-5-2 system favours energetic, two-way wing-backs capable of contributing at both ends, a profile Norton-Cuffy demonstrated convincingly throughout the season.
Inter Milan had also been linked in January before Napoli accelerated their interest. Norton-Cuffy came through Chelsea's academy as a child before spending his formative years at Arsenal, where he made no first-team appearances but went on loan to Lincoln City, Rotherham United, Coventry City and Millwall before Genoa signed him permanently for €2 million in August 2024.
Arsenal retain a sell-on clause, meaning a €20 million sale would generate a financial windfall for the Gunners.
His contract at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium runs until 2029, which gives Genoa considerable leverage. Club president Dan Sucu has set his minimum price and will not begin negotiations below it.