Reports from Spain indicate that Chelsea are planning to sign Bournemouth center-back Marcos Senesi on a free transfer next summer. This strategic move comes as the Blues continue to build a stronger defense for the 2026–27 season under head coach Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea were very interested in signing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet during the winter transfer window, but Liverpool beat them to it. The Blues also brought back Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg, and the Senegalese international had an immediate impact in Chelsea’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Hull City on Friday.
Chelsea are getting ready for next summer’s transfers. They are considering a few experienced center-backs to complement Rosenior’s possession-based style of play. Senesi is one of the main targets, as his contract ends in June 2026, and he can be signed for free. The report claims that Chelsea have made the Argentine their top defensive target, and the club’s sporting directors are already working on a full plan to get the deal done.
The West London club have spent a lot of money in the past few seasons, so they are now focusing on smart, cost-effective purchases. Senesi would add experienced, high-quality depth to a backline that has had trouble staying consistent this season. Rosenior wants to use a buildup style that focuses on defenders who can play with the ball, and Senesi’s technical skills make him a perfect fit for this style.
The Argentine international has played in over 100 Premier League games since joining Bournemouth from Feyenoord in 2022. The left-footed center-back can play in a lot of different defensive positions, which makes him even more valuable to Rosenior’s backline system.
Chelsea will have a lot of competition for their signature, though. Everton, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Barcelona, and Juventus are all closely monitoring Senesi in case he moves to one of those teams this summer. The Blues need to act quickly to get the defender, who would be a great deal in today’s overpriced transfer market.
Chelsea Have A List Of Several Defensive Targets After Missing Out On Jeremy Jacquet
Chelsea are still set on making their defense stronger before the 2026–27 season starts, even though they couldn’t get Jeremy Jacquet, who chose Liverpool instead. The Athletic says that the Blues don’t regret not getting the French teenager because they wanted to keep Josh Acheampong and bring Mamadou Sarr back from Strasbourg.
Liam Rosenior, on the other hand, still needs to add more players to his defense as he builds his team for the future. There are a lot of good center-backs on the team right now, including Sarr, Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Levi Colwill. Even though they have more players, Chelsea want experienced leaders and proven Premier League quality to help their young defenders.
Chelsea’s interest in Marcos Senesi indicates a shift away from the BlueCo ownership model, which led to years of heavy spending, toward more financially sound player acquisition. By getting good defenders on free transfers, the club can put their resources toward other important positions while still having enough players to compete in all competitions.