Arsenal and Genoa are close to agreeing the permanent transfer of Brooke Norton-Cuffy, for a total fee of around £3.5million with a sell-on clause included.
The right-back, 20, has amassed over 100 appearances of senior football in League One and the Championship over the last three seasons.
His first loan was to Lincoln City in 2021-22, which was viewed as an opportunity to accelerate his development, and he has since had spells with Rotherham, Coventry City, and Millwall.
An England under-21 international, Norton-Cuffy was involved in Coventry’s run to the 2022-23 Championship play-off final.
Norton-Cuffy has also played both as a full-back and wing-back throughout his youth career, going back to his days with Arsenal’s under-21s. Genoa played with a back three/five for the majority of last season under former AC Milan striker Alberto Gilardino, which could help the defender settle into his new surroundings.
Norton-Cuffy has not been used by either the under-21s or first team so far this pre-season, with a permanent move always the most likely outcome.
Genoa start their Serie A campaign against Inter Milan this Saturday (August 17) and have already progressed to the second round of the Coppa Italia after a 1-0 win over Reggiana.
GO DEEPER
Brooke Norton-Cuffy, the young full-back learning to play the Arsenal way on loan at Lincoln
(Matt McNulty – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)