bbc.co.uk

Spurs closing in on Bournemouth's Senesi

Marcos Senesi running while playing for BournemouthGetty Images

Nizaar Kinsella

Football reporter

Tottenham are close to signingBournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer.

Personal terms are yet to be finalised but the deal for the 29-year-old is advancing towards completion, as is Spurs' move for Scotland full-back Andy Robertson, who is out of contract after leaving Liverpool.

Bournemouth abandoned efforts to retain Senesi after he turned down a third new contract offer in December and began talks with major overseas clubs.

However, the three-cap Argentina international now looks set to remain in the Premier League, barring any last-minute change of heart.

Senesi played all but one of Bournemouth's league games this season as they finished sixth and qualified for Europe for the first time in their history.

In four years on the south coast, Senesi made 128 appearances for Bournemouth having joined from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2022.

Spurs, meanwhile, finished 17th in the Premier League and improved after appointing Roberto de Zerbi as head coach in March, narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship.

Speaking to BBC Sport this week, Spurs chief executive Vinai Venkatesham said: "The squad needs work and the squad hasn't got the right balance.

"We need experience and leadership and also that kind of physical robustness to play in the most demanding league that exists.

"We need to strengthen the club over multiple transfer windows but this transfer window, in particular, is going to be critical."