Liverpool have missed out on their number one centre-back target, Marc Guehi.
It was assumed that Guehi would join Liverpool next summer on a free transfer.
Guehi chose Man City for a January move, negotiating a £300,000 per week contract at a fee of £20 million.
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Which missed centre-back transfer will Liverpool regret the most and why?
Jeremy Jacquet points and smiles at the crowd after Rennes' Ligue 1 match against Paris FC (Credit: Getty Images/Jean Catuffe).
Marc Guehi warms up ahead of Crystal Palace's Carabao Cup match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Vince Mignott/MB Media).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jean Catuffe/Vince Mignott/MB Media
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Even harder to swallow given Ibrahima Konate’s uncertain Liverpool future — now they must go full steam ahead in recruiting at centre-back. Luckily, there is a Premier League-proven option who becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
Liverpool could make up for Marc Guehi fumble with Marcos Senesi
The idea of getting a top-class centre-back like Guehi for free felt too good to be true, but they could again have that opportunity with Marcos Senesi.
Yes, Bournemouth have taken a step back this season, but Senesi has been impressive. It’s worth remembering that Andoni Iraola saw three of his back four exit the club — Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Illia Zabarnyi to PSG and of course, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool.
They’ve had a change in goalkeeper, too. All that has resulted in an admittedly woeful defensive record, the worst of any team outside of the relegation zone.
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But you can’t blame that on Senesi. After spending the majority of last season sidelined, the Argentine has come back into the side and has been consistently brilliant.
Bournemouth v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
He ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues in blocks (2.08) and assists (0.19), and the top 5% in progressive passes (6.61), shot-creating actions (1.94), and clearances (8.00) (per90mins via FBREF).
Bournemouth are struggling, and you can understand why given the raid they endured last summer. That said, Senesi isn’t the level his team’s defensive record suggests.
A 28-year-old free agent, he would be a perfect bridge player between the old and new generations of this Liverpool defence. He would be followed by a marquee signing at centre-back.
Who should be Liverpool’s top centre-back target after missing out on Marc Guehi?
Micky van de Ven pictured during Tottenham Hotspurs' Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej).
Alessandro Bastoni warms up ahead of the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Torino at San Siro Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Marco Luzzani).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/Marco Luzzani
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Currently on £50,000 per week, he wouldn’t break the bank in any regard. Injuries are a concern, but it’s worth taking the risk for a player who will have four Premier League seasons under his belt by then.
A potential issue could be Chelsea’s links to Senesi but it doesn’t feel like the right age profile for BlueCo.
However, if the deal for Jeremy Jacquet doesn’t get done, they may ramp up their interest. Ben Jacobs revealed on X: “Other options Chelsea could explore are Como’s Jacobo Ramon and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi. Senesi a free agent this summer. Bournemouth haven’t had any approach from Chelsea or other clubs yet”
Liverpool haven’t looked to the free agent market in quite a while, but this could be another Joel Matip, and there’s no competition as of yet. Bring him to Anfield.
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