Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness thinks the club should take a serious look at Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi this summer, even if it isn’t their most desperate need. Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness, who ran things at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009 and now advises elite clubs, called the Argentine a “real upgrade” on Everton’s current defensive options.
Senesi, 28, is on a £50,000-a-week deal that ends in June 2026, which effectively means he’s available on a free transfer this summer. Wyness noted there is “a lot of interest” in the defender, including links to Italy, but argued that Everton’s main focus in the market should probably be on fullbacks and the front line rather than another centre-back.
What did Wyness say?
“Difficult one, he’s a player in great demand, and I know that there’s been talk of him going to Italy.
“Centre back, Argentinian, there is a lot of interest in him. Jarrad Branthwaite, if he’s fit, and Jake O’Brien are both young players, and then you’ve got James Tarkowski and Michael Keane coming towards the end of their situation.
“There’s been talk of John Stones. A lot of players are linked at that level. I do think they need one more centre-back to come in. This would be a real upgrade if it were to go through.
“But is it the position that Everton really need to upgrade? That’s what I would be concerned about, because I think the money that’s going to be spent should be really on fullbacks and strikers at the moment. That seems to be the general consensus as well.
“There’s been a lot of work being done at the moment in those sorts of areas. But of course, if you can get a quality centre-back like that and can come in, then it’s going to assist, but a lot will depend on how they want to shuffle the squad.
“I do think full backs and strikers are where we’re going to be looking, and that may be where the emphasis will be rather than on the position where Senesi could work for us.”
Senesi has been a sensational performer throughout 2025/26, starting every single league game at left centre-back after Bournemouth sold Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and Ilya Zabarnyi to PSG for big money. With 30 Premier League starts under his belt this term, he’s chipped in with four assists and maintained a solid 7.11 FotMob rating. The only real stain on an otherwise dominant season for the Concordia-born defender is his discipline, having picked up eight yellow cards so far.
Do Everton Actually Need Senesi Next Season?
Wyness makes a good point about priorities, but Everton’s situation behind the scenes suggests a move might be smarter than it looks. Branthwaite has missed most of the season with a hamstring injury, while Tarkowski, now 33, is reaching the point where fitness and contract talks become a year-to-year gamble. Meanwhile, Michael Keane feels like a temporary option at this stage. The back line has essentially been held together by David Moyes’ coaching and a bit of luck.
Senesi’s profile is exactly what they need, as he’s strong in the air (winning 56% of his duels), comfortable passing out from the back, and rarely misses a game. His only real downside is that aggressive streak that leads to bookings. Senesi’s form this year even earned him a spot back in the Argentina squad, as the world champions march into the 2026 tournament as heavy favourites.
In reality, Senesi will likely have his pick of clubs offering European football. Despite a decent season, Everton might struggle to compete with that. With several Serie A sides and top-half Premier League teams hovering, my take is that Everton should go for him, but they’ll likely be priced out or outmuscled. Budget-wise, Moyes will probably have to prioritise a striker and fullbacks first, leaving Senesi to sign for a bigger club. It would be a missed opportunity for a side that desperately need a reliable presence at the back.
