Bournemouth to resist bids for star on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist

Bournemouth plan to resist any bids for Marcos Senesi this month, talkSPORT understands.

Chelsea are among the clubs who have shortlisted Senesi as a possible target.

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The Argentine has turned down multiple offers to extend his Cherries contract, which expires in the summer.

talkSPORT previously revealed Bournemouth have yet to receive a formal approach for the 28-year-old.

Meanwhile, Juventus and Barcelona have both shown interest in the defender.

Senesi is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs ahead of arriving on a free transfer when his deal expires.

This season marks the centre-back’s fourth at the club following his arrival from Dutch club Feyenoord in 2022.

During that time, he has made 111 appearances across all competitions.

Senesi has also started all-but one of Bournemouth’s Premier League matches so far this season.

His only absence from Andoni Iraola’s side came against Everton in December as he served a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards.

His importance at the Vitality Stadium was increased in the summer after several defensive departures from the club.

Fellow centre-backs Ilya Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen were sold to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, respectively, for a combined £104.5million.

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Milos Kerkez was also allowed to leave, completing a summer switch to Premier League champions Liverpool.

Defenders Bafode Diakite and Veljko Milosavljevic both arrived on the south coast to bolster Iraola’s defensive options, though.

Bournemouth have already lost the services of Antoine Semenyo this month.

The forward has joined Manchester City on a five-and-a-half-year deal for £62.5million, a club-record sale for the Cherries.

Chelsea’s transfer hunt

As for Chelsea, their focus is currently on Frenchman Jeremy Jacquet as they look to sign a new centre-back this month.

The 20-year-old has told current club Rennes that he wants to join the Blues, talkSPORT understands.

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Rennes had been hoping to avoid a January departure amid their push for Champions League qualification.

Meanwhile, they value Jacquet at more than the club record £55.5million fee they received from City for Jeremy Doku in 2023.