Brooke Norton-Cuffy 'agrees new Arsenal contract'

The 18-year-old is highly-rated by the powers-that-be at London Colney and impressed during a loan spell with Lincoln City in the second half of the 2021-22 season.

Norton-Cuffy came up with one goal and one assist in 17 League One matches, as well as making seven appearances for Arsenal's Under-21 side in the Premier League 2.

The right-back was also a key member of the England Under-19 side that won the European Championships earlier this summer, playing 47 minutes in the final against Israel.

Norton-Cuffy signed his first professional contract at Arsenal back in January 2021, and those terms were due to expire at the end of the current season.

Now, The Athletic reports that Arsenal have successfully negotiated a new contract with the teenager, who was beginning to attract interest from numerous other clubs.

Premier League teams and clubs abroad are said to have been keeping tabs on Norton-Cuffy's development, but the Gunners are now likely to confirm the defender's new deal in the coming days.

Norton-Cuffy is still waiting for his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt at senior level, but he has one goal and two assists to boast from 19 Under-18s matches and has made 17 appearances at Under-21 level.

Arsenal poached the youngster from Chelsea's academy at the age of 12 in 2016, and former Lincoln boss Michael Appleton believes that he will eventually go on to start for the Gunners' first team.

"I don't want Arsenal ringing me up saying 'what have you said that for. But I've been saying it behind the scenes, I think he will play for Arsenal's first team on a regular basis," Appleton told Lincolnshire Live back in March.

"It might not be for a couple of years but it's definitely going to happen. He'll hopefully continue his progression over the next few games. There's one or two things that I think I can help him with, but by the time he goes back to Arsenal, he'll be much better."

Norton-Cuffy could now reportedly go out on loan to a Championship club for the 2022-23 campaign, and Appleton - who is now head coach at Blackpool - already has another young Arsenal player in his ranks in the form of Charlie Patino.

The likes of Marcelo Flores, Omar Rekik, Mika Biereth and Tyreece John-Jules have also secured loan moves away from Arsenal for the 2022-23 season with a view to breaking into the Gunners' first team next year.

Norton-Cuffy is set to extend his stay at the Emirates just a couple of months after Khayon Edwards ended speculation over his future by penning professional terms.

However, talks over a new deal for Omari Hutchinson eventually broke down, and the 18-year-old Jamaica international proceeded to sign for London rivals Chelsea.