Liverpool have been named as the most likely club to sign a 'valuable' Premier League star, with his agents busily trying to find him a new club.
Liverpool make transfer plans after disappointing campaign
The summer is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in Liverpool's recent history.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot-3
The title race has already been ceded to Arsenal or Man City, the Champions League is gone, and a rebuild of some significance is required — most pressingly in central defence, where a combination of age, injury and contract uncertainty has left Arne Slot's options thinner than a club of Liverpool's ambition can afford to sustain.
Jeremy Jacquet is already signed.
The 20-year-old Rennes centre-back, secured for £60m in February, will arrive at Anfield in the summer having completed his medical on deadline day in England.
Giovanni Leoni, out since October with a knee injury, will effectively be a new face himself when pre-season arrives. But those are projects for the future, and the more immediate problem concerns what is available now.
Liverpool centre-back Giovanni Leoni
Ibrahima Konate's contract expires at the end of the season, and negotiations have been protracted, with conflicting signals emerging over recent weeks.
Fabrizio Romano's recent assessment is that discussions are "moving to the final stages", but with Real Madrid and others circling, nothing is guaranteed.
Virgil van Dijk is 34 and operating in the final chapter of an Anfield career that has defined an era.
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The Dutchman is already under mounting pressure.
Joe Gomez is expected to depart following another injury-disrupted campaign too, so the defensive picture at Liverpool heading into next summer is complicated.
Liverpool 'most likely destination' for Marcos Senesi
Against that backdrop, a report from inews claims that Liverpool are in pole position to sign Marcos Senesi.
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The Bournemouth centre-back, 28, is one of the most in-demand defenders in this summer's free agent market, and Slot could strike a reunion, having previously worked with Senesi at Feyenoord during the club's run to the Europa Conference League final.
Romano confirmed on Sunday that Senesi's preference is to remain in the Premier League despite interest from Spain and Italy, with his agents now in active discussions with English clubs.
Man United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa are all reportedly involved in those conversations, but the iNews report specifically says Liverpool are the 'most likely destination' for Senesi, with the player's camp 'busy' trying to secure a move.
Senesi has been exceptional for Bournemouth this season, appearing in 31 of their 32 league games and earning praise for his consistency and reading of the game.
He was singled out for particular credit after the performance against Arsenal last Saturday — a display at the Emirates that contributed directly to the 2-1 defeat that blew the title race open.
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His role as Bournemouth's defensive organiser following the departures of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi last summer has underlined his leadership qualities, with Iraola calling him a 'very valuable' player.
Senesi ticks a number of boxes that are harder to fill in the normal market.
A left-sided centre-back who could partner van Dijk on the opposite side, experienced in the Premier League and known personally to the manager — Liverpool's interest is not difficult to understand.
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