Marcos Senesi ‘has had his head turned’ and could leave Bournemouth in January
Bournemouth are fearful of losing another of their first-choice defensive options amid concerns that Marcos Senesi has had his head turned by interest.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 28-year-old could leave the Vitality Stadium this month if the right offer arrives.
This comes after Senesi turned down Bournemouth’s contract offers, with his deal set to expire at the end of the season, and could force the Cherries to cash in.
After losing the likes of Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez during the summer, Andoni Iraola had been determined to keep his latest defensive star.
While he is not expected to force through a mid-season exit, interest from Champions League clubs has meant the defender is now keen to explore his options.
Marcos Senesi could quit Bournemouth in January
Senesi has been linked to both Newcastle and Chelsea in recent weeks following the news of his decision to leave Bournemouth, with both clubs in need of reinforcements.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, believes the Bournemouth star could even be on the move in January for the right price.
“Senesi has become a regular for Bournemouth this season,” he told Football Insider.
“He wasn’t in the side as much last year, he was being kept out by their other two [Huijsen and Zabarnyi], but he has been impressive this year.
“The thing is, Bournemouth are now having the same issues again.
“There are bigger clubs interested in their players, clubs playing in the Champions League, and when they come along it’s easy to have your head turned.
“It seems that has happened again, so they’re going to be at risk of losing him on a free transfer.
“If a big offer comes in for him, they could definitely let him go because otherwise they’ll be losing a key player without getting anything in return.
“The only issue there is they’d have to have somebody lined up to replace him, and that is far easier said than done in the middle of the season.”
Antoine Semenyo set for Bournemouth exit
Senesi is not the only star player at Bournemouth linked with a mid-season exit, as Antoine Semenyo continues to close in on a move away.
The Ghana international started in Bournemouth’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, despite suggestions he could leave before the game, but remains on his way out.
Semenyo has a £65million release clause in his contract at the Vitality Stadium, with both Liverpool and Man City keen to trigger it in the January window.
Brown told Football Insider on 29 December that Semenyo has decided to join Man City, snubbing interest from Liverpool to work with Pep Guardiola.
While the deal has not yet been finalised, he is expected to arrive at the Etihad in the near future, with talks between the two clubs ongoing.
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