Roberto De Zerbi has sealed his first summer signing at Tottenham but already has his second transfer of the window lined up
Tottenham Hotspur are already up and running in the summer transfer market after confirming the arrival of Andy Robertson. And in-keeping with the free agent theme, Spurs’ next recruitment decision needs to be the signing of Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi after the defender confirmed he’ll be leaving the Vitality Stadium.
One of the Premier League’s stand-out central defenders in recent years, the recently turned 29-year-old is, in short, too bright an opportunity to pass up. Roberto De Zerbi’s biggest priority by far this summer has to be tightening up a defence that shipped 57 Premier League goals this season and Senesi comes with too much upside to ignore.
Lionel Scaloni has, for some reason, decided to go without the Concordia-born star for his World Cup 2026 squad. That makes negotiations all the simpler from a Spurs perspective in that there need not be any delay in committing to talks with the player and his representatives.
That also comes with the added risk that if Tottenham don’t move quickly and with intent, another suitor could swoop in. All the more reason to ensure he becomes the club’s highest priority as their next recruit.
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Micky van de Ven’s future remains up for discussion amid a swell of interest in his signature. That fear has been somewhat allayed after securing top-flight survival but there are other factors at play that force the need for additions at centre-back all the same.
Captain Cristian Romero continues to be linked with a move away from north London once the World Cup is over. There’s also the Luka Vukskovic situation to consider after the youngster’s marvellous campaign on loan at Hamburg, though he too is being touted for a big move away.
It remains to be seen whether Ben Davies will be offered a new short-term extension, though it’s possible the Welsh defender leaves this summer. There are also doubts over whether Joao Palhinha will sign permanently from Bayern Munich and the Portugal star was a key defensive presence at the base of midfield.
Speaking to football.london recently, club legend Toby Alderweireld commented on the links to Senesi and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke. He rated both deals highly, though Van Hecke comes with the not-so-slight complication that he’s expected to cost in excess of £70m.
“They both know the Premier League. That’s good, because I think Spurs now need stability,” said the Belgian. “They need to know the players can perform every week, week in, week out. They perform on a good level. Of course, a transfer to a new club, it’s always a bit different, but they know the Premier League and that’s very important.
“Because next season, it’s impossible that we go back to this [awful] period. So I think it’s understanding they are looking for players who are proven in the Premier League. That’s something they should do. They should have a little bit more security in that.”
Alderweireld rightly went on to stress Spurs “don’t have the time” to wait on transfers that may need time to adapt to the Premier League. Senesi has proved over the course of his four years in England that he’s up to the task, and his free agent status mitigates any concern caused by the fact he’s slightly older than Spurs may want in an ideal signing.
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In the event Vuskovic is committed to trying his hand under De Zerbi, it would ease the defensive burden greatly. However, that appears a big ‘if’ amid rumours of interest from Bayern, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
In the meantime, it would be folly to ignore the opportunity presented by the free signing of Senesi. The South American would be an ideal replacement in the event compatriot Romero decides to leave but Spurs have to act now as a statement of intent to get back in the ring for top-six contention.
