Friedkin Group could lay down biggest marker yet after Marcos Senesi and Everton latest
Everton have an opportunity to make a statement of intent with Bournemouth’s soon-to-be out of contract star Marcos Senesi.
Reports emerged on Saturday that Everton were vying with Napoli, Juventus, Tottenham, Aston Villa and more for Senesi, whose current deal runs out this summer.
Senesi has reportedly rejected several contract offers from Bournemouth this season, as the Cherries look set to lose yet another in-demand defender.
Everton, who are also competing with the likes of Roma and Newcastle United for the 28-year-old, may need some defensive reinforcements next season as centre-back Michael Keane and full-back Seamus Coleman’s current terms expire in the summer.
If Everton want to continue their rise up the Premier League table, as the Hill Dickinson Stadium outfit aims for European football, a Senesi deal could be a good start.
- Read more: Everton to pay Marcos Senesi £150,000-a-week as requirements emerge for free transfer agreement
Everton must go big to sign in-demand Marcos Senesi
Senesi has played 26 Premier League games this season for Bournemouth, bagging four assists along the way.
The fact that he hasn’t signed a new deal may indicate he harbours similar desires to former teammates Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi, who moved to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain for nearly a combined £100million, respectively.
If Everton are able to secure European football next season, that may bolster The Friedkin Group‘s chances of luring a player like Senesi to Merseyside. If not, that becomes a tougher task.
Moreover, some of the other teams vying for his signature will be able to do that and more, with Villa, Napoli, and Juventus likely to secure Champions League football in 2026-27.
Everton only signed Chelsea loanee Tyrique George during the winter transfer window, which is not exactly backing manager David Moyes.
So if they want Senesi, they may need to splash the cash when it comes to his wages. Reports suggest that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is on around £150,00 a week, while loanee Jack Grealish was on upwards of £200,000 every seven days.
Ergo, Everton may need to make Senesi their top earner to recruit him this summer.
- Read more: The Friedkin Group must be ashamed by latest En-Nesyri developments after Everton failure
One thing that could stand in way of Everton’s Senesi pursuit
Despite the expiring deals of Keane and Coleman, the latter of which is seemingly set to retire, Everton do have options in their backline.
For instance at centre-back, Everton have Jarrad Branthwaite, Jake O’Brien, and James Tarkowski, plus, Keane is still an option.
In fact, Keane has made it clear that he wants to extend his stay with the Blues – who host Manchester United on Monday night as they seek to end their poor recent home form – beyond this season.
He recently said: “I’m really happy with how I’ve performed. I still feel like I’m in my twenties. I train well every day, I feel physically really good.
“We do sprints every week and I know I’m not getting any slower. I don’t feel like I’ve ever been a player that’s relied on my pace. So, I know I’ve got a lot to give and I’ve got a lot of years left. Hopefully I can be here for as long as possible.”
The Friedkin Group did spend around £100m last summer but had a very quiet January. The idea of a Senesi free transfer will appeal, but if Keane extends his deal, that could potentially scupper a move to the Argentine.
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