Tottenham leading contender to sign Marcos Senesi, subject to Premier League survival

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsHow Arteta Handles the PressureDo Man Utd Need a Super Coach?Disconnect at LiverpoolTottenham leading contender to sign Marcos Senesi, subject to Premier League survivalThe Argentina international's Bournemouth contract expires this summer Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Share articleTottenham Hotspur are in advanced talks to sign Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi this summer, subject to maintaining their Premier League status. The north London club are currently the leading contender to sign the 28-year-old centre-back — who will become a free agent in July — although no deal has been finalised and the Argentine’s situation remains open with ongoing interest from other clubs. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been Tottenham’s first-choice central defensive partnership for the past three campaigns, with Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso the other recognised centre-backs in Roberto De Zerbi’s squad. Tottenham are also in pole position to sign Andy Robertson as a free agent when the left-back’s Liverpool contract expires this summer, but the club’s business will be conditioned by De Zerbi’s side avoiding relegation to the Championship. Spurs are currently 18th in the Premier League table and two points from safety with seven games of the campaign remaining. Earlier this week, meanwhile, it was confirmed that head coach Andoni Iraola will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the end of this season. Senesi, whose deal at the south-coast club also expires this summer, joined Bournemouth from Dutch side Feyenoord for £10.5million (now $14.2m) in 2022. The left-footed centre-back was a regular starter during his first two seasons at Bournemouth but a hamstring injury and the emergence of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi as Iraola’s first-choice partnership at the back saw his appearances limited in 2024-25. Huijsen and Zabarnyi’s departures in the summer, to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, have seen Senesi restored to a first-choice role, featuring in 30 league matches this term. His resurgence in form has seen him feature twice for Argentina this season. Romero’s future is going to be a hot topic of conversation this summer regardless of what division Spurs will be competing in next season. The Argentina international signed a new long-term contract and was appointed captain last year but he has voiced his frustration at the club’s senior figures on multiple occasions. It might make sense for all parties to arrange an exit even if Tottenham maintain their top-flight status. One of Romero’s biggest strengths is his quality on the ball and this is where Spurs’ pursuit of Senesi makes sense. Senesi is excellent at playing defence-splitting passes as shown by his clever reverse ball in the build-up to Eli Junior Kroupi’s goal for Bournemouth against Arsenal last weekend. Senesi is left-footed which raises questions about the long-term future of Van de Ven. In an ideal world, Senesi and Van de Ven would rotate to avoid the injury problems which have plagued Spurs over the last two years. However, Spurs will not be competing in Europe next season which will significantly reduce the amount of matches they play. Senesi turns 29 next month but he could be a good short to medium-term option and it is an attractive deal because no fee will be required as his contract expires in June. Spurs were slow to act in the transfer market last summer because of the uncertainty around whether they would be competing in the Champions League and the future of then-head coach Ange Postecoglou. Despite their precarious position in the table, Spurs are planning for life in the top-flight next season and trying to move quickly. Defence has clearly been identified as an area which needs urgent attention as they are also pursuing a deal for Liverpool full-back Robertson. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms David Ornstein joined The Athletic in October 2019 after 12 years as a sports journalist and correspondent at the BBC. In the role of Football Correspondent, he is responsible for producing exclusive and original stories and interviews, offering unique insight and analysis. He works across video, audio and the written word. Follow David on Twitter @David_Ornstein