Tottenham Hotspur had been pursuing Bournemouth center back Marcos Senesi for months, as the Argentinian international is coming off a career season with the Cherries, ranking as one of the best central defenders in the entire Premier League.
Now, Spurs have finally made a move that was confirmed by pretty much every transfer insider and journalist in the business official. Senesi will, alongside Andrew Robertson of Liverpool fame, be joining Spurs as a free agent this summer transfer window.
Senesi could very well be an immediate starter and the replacement for Cristian Romero, though a lot will depend on the futures of Hamburg's Luka Vuskovic and Brighton center back Jan Paul van Hecke, whom Roberto De Zerbi has been working hard to reunite with.
Roberto De Zerbi is a big fan
But De Zerbi also approved the Marcos Senesi signing and sounds awfully high on the 29 year old center back. As quoted by the Tottenham Hotspur official web site, De Zerbi was full of praise for Senesi, particularly his quality on the ball, and he even hinted at changing his tactics, too.
Roberto De Zerbi said of the top Premier League defender, "Marcos' experience, quality on the ball, and competitive edge will strengthen us defensively, as well as giving us flexibility in formation.
He's comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment.
Buried in there is the "giving us flexibility in formation" line, and with all the center backs Tottenham are after in light of the pursuit of Jan Paul van Hecke alongside Senesi and the potential for Luka Vuskovic's return after an amazing 2025/26 Bundesliga season, Spurs may be planning on utilizing the back three next season.
Thomas Frank hinted at it and even successfully used it at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, but it was quickly phased out. De Zerbi is more willing to try new things and experiment tactically, and bringing in a back three may be the next move the Italian manager plans against certain opponents.
If Van Hecke and Vuskovic are part of the first team next season - and even if Cristian Romero leaves with Radu Dragusin- Tottenham would have five starting caliber central defenders among Vuskovic, Van Hecke, Senesi, Kevin Danso, and Micky van de Ven. Something is brewing at N17, but regardless of what De Zerbi does tactically next season, he is clearly a huge fan of Senesi's.
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