Tottenham targeting Premier League free agent to bolster defence this summer

Tottenham could do with conducting some business in the final quarter of the January transfer window, but the club are seemingly preparing for a busy summer.

The passing midfielder Thomas Frank sorely needs is yet to arrive, with Conor Gallagher and young Brazilian left-back João Souza the only two players to join this month—the latter pending an official announcement.

Frank's precarious situation at the helm does complicate things a little, but any potential successor is likely to require the same profiles that the Dane currently lacks. Still, an impressive 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund has seemingly bought the manager more time, with a pair of significant away trips against Burnley and Eintracht Frankfurt upcoming.

Our activity during the remaining days of the winter window will undoubtedly shape our summer plans, and the Spurs hierarchy, never shy of snagging a bargain, are keeping a close eye on potential free agents.

Tottenham's potential Marcos Senesi pursuit raises Micky van de Ven questions

There's certainly been a shift in recent years in terms of player power, with more and more at the elite level running down their contracts in order to secure a lucrative move away.

Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, Bernardo Silva and Serge Gnabry are among those currently heading for free agency at the end of the season, but Spurs are reportedly interested in another Bosman.

Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi, according to Ben Jacobs (via Spurs Zone on X) is a player the club are interested in signing on a free transfer this summer.

Senesi, who's re-emerged on the south coast this season after the departures of Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen, ranks among the most impressive ball-playing centre-backs in the Premier League. The left-footed Argentine reminds me of Aymeric Laporte in possession, and a defender of his profile is invaluable.

He could be a transformative presence in Tottenham's build-up play, but should a move for Senesi really be prioritised this summer? If the club are utterly convinced by Luka Vušković despite his lack of pace, then surely the teenager, who's starred on loan at Hamburg this term, should come in to play second fiddle to Micky van de Ven starting from next season.

Kevin Danso has proven himself to be an able deputy, and there are high hopes for recent debutant Jun'ai Byfield, too. Adding Senesi risks clogging up the depth chart and blocking pathways, even if he's someone who could provide plenty of value to this Spurs squad.

A bullish pursuit of a left centre-back this summer may also suggest that the club aren't particularly confident about retaining Van de Ven long-term.