Tottenham target Marcos Senesi as free agent follows Robertson through the door

Tottenham have wasted little time in the summer transfer window, confirming the free-transfer signing of Andy Robertson, but attention at the club is already turning to their next defensive priority: Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi.

Senesi, who turned 29 this year, has announced he will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires, making him available on a free transfer — the same route through which Robertson arrived. The Argentine has been one of the Premier League’s more reliable central defenders in recent seasons, and with Spurs having conceded 57 top-flight goals this campaign, shoring up the backline is Roberto De Zerbi’s most pressing task.

The timing has been simplified by Lionel Scaloni’s decision to omit Senesi from Argentina’s World Cup 2026 squad, meaning there is no international tournament to wait out before opening negotiations with the player and his representatives. That clarity, however, cuts both ways: rival clubs face the same open window, and any delay from Spurs risks losing him to a competitor.

The need for reinforcement at centre-back is underlined by uncertainty across the position. Micky van de Ven continues to attract interest from elsewhere, while captain Cristian Romero is linked with a departure once the World Cup concludes. The future of young defender Luka Vuksovic, who impressed on loan at Hamburg, is also unresolved amid reported interest from other clubs. Ben Davies may or may not be offered a short-term extension, adding further doubt to the department’s depth.

There is also the ongoing question of whether Joao Palhinha will complete a permanent switch from Bayern Munich, with the Portugal international having provided important defensive cover in the holding midfield role during his loan spell.

Spurs legend Toby Alderweireld recently offered a positive assessment of both Senesi and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke as potential arrivals. “They both know the Premier League. That’s good, because I think Spurs now need stability,” Alderweireld said. “They need to know the players can perform every week, week in, week out.” Van Hecke, however, is expected to command a fee in excess of £70 million, making Senesi’s free-agent status considerably more attractive from a financial standpoint.

With the defensive picture at Spurs still far from settled, securing Senesi before the market moves would represent a straightforward piece of business — if the club act quickly enough.