Deal with Dan Șucu for Cristi Chivu » Inter found Dumfries' replacement. And it could come in January!
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Friday, December 19, 2025, 1:19 p.m. / Updated Friday, December 19, 2025, 1:21 p.m.
Cristi Chivu could make the first purchase at Inter in 2026 precisely from Dan Șucu's yard! Genoa right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy (21) is at the top of the list of options to cover the long-term absence of Denzel Dumfries, according to market specialist Fabrizio Romano.
The Dutch international recently underwent ankle surgery and will miss Inter for two to three months. As a result, Chivu remains without the holder of the right lane until the spring, a position poorly covered by the Brazilians Luis Henrique and Carlos Augusto. Furthermore, there are growing indications that Denzel Dumfries will part ways with the Nerazzurri at the end of this season.
Under these conditions, it is normal that the Serie A leader started casting to find a valuable and, above all, promising replacement. Two would be the preferences of president Beppe Marotta: Englishman Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Italian Marco Palestra.
The former, brought up in Genoa's academy, has been promoted with confidence this season, receiving 1,260 minutes from coaches Patrick Vieira and Daniele De Rossi and proving to be a promising prospect (he will turn 22 on January 12).
Brooke Norton-Cuffy, in a duel with Juan Jesus, in Naples – Genoa 2-1 / Photo: Imago
14matches played by Brooke Norton-Cuffy for Genoa in this championship, all as a full-time player. The English right-back scored a goal in the match with Udinese (2-1) and an assist in the match with Napoli (1-2)
Gazzetta dello Sport: “For an amount of 15-20 million euros, Genoa would begin to yield for Norton-Cuffy”
“English represents the perfect profile. Norton-Cuffy is ahead of Valincic, Pisa's Touré and Atalanta's Palestra. But watch out for the Premier League competition!
English clubs are always very keen on young Italians and there are at least a few – besides Napoli and Juventus – who would welcome the former Arsenal player back across the English Channel with open arms”reveals La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Beyond his performances this season, he still has enormous room for growth, is already familiar with the Italian league and, above all, does not lack Dumfries-specific robustness. That is why the Englishman seems the ideal candidate for Inter. A promising player, he is already ready to replace a key player like the Dutchman
– La Gazzetta dello SportItalian daily
Even the price for which the move could be made is not intended to disarm Inter, the estimate two months ago being around 15 million euros requested by the club patronized by Dan Șucu.
“There are two issues to discuss on Norton-Cuffy's candidacy. Firstly, the price. At around €15-20m, Genoa would clearly start to budge.
The alternative is Marco Palestra. Younger, but also more expensive
Oaktree, which in 2024 set a ceiling of 25 million euros for an acquisitionis another point to consider. Second, the agency that represents him: Roc Nation, rapper Jay-Z's company.
Relations with Inter are excellent, especially after the deal with Romelu Lukaku, who they had under contract during his successful career with the Nerazzurri and then ditched because of the Belgian's comments after the Champions League final in Istanbul.
A series of clues that can turn into pro arguments: Norton-Cuffy – Inter is more than just a possibility”, concluded the pink daily.
Norton-Cuffy's opponent is younger and owned by Atalanta. Marco Palestra is 20 years old and plays for Cagliari on loan. He also played in 14 matches (13 times as a starter), providing three assists in this championship.
Listed on Transfermarkt.com at 8.5 million euros, Palestra would now fit within the ceiling set by Inter, only if he continues to grow, Atalanta could ask for 40 million in the summer. The Nerazzurri could force a move in the winterbut he should convince Cagliari to let him go.
