Tottenham Hotspur have secured Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth, agreeing terms for the defender to join once his contract at Bournemouth expires at the end of the month. Senesi arrives as Spurs’ second free signing of the summer, following the departure of Liverpool left back Andy Robertson. Robertson is yet to be assigned a jersey, while Senesi has been given the No. 5 shirt.

The club has not formally disclosed the length of the contract, though it was previously reported as four years, taking the deal to the end of the 2029–30 Premier League season. Senesi is 29 now and would be 33 by then.

There had been interest in Senesi from a number of quarters. Some expected an immediate reunion with Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, especially given the perceived centre back shortage at Anfield. Chelsea and Manchester United were also reported as possible destinations. Senesi said Spurs’ approach made the difference: “Spurs really showed me that they wanted me, why they want me and what they expect from me. I’m happy for that.”

Manager Roberto De Zerbi highlighted what he believes Senesi will bring to the squad, pointing to the defender’s “experience, quality on the ball and competitive edge.” De Zerbi added: “He’s comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment. I also love his mentality and desire to keep improving and I’m looking forward to working with him and seeing the big contribution he can make to the team.”

Senesi has also described his style with the ball: “I like to have the ball at my feet and try to help the team build and be as offensive as we can, try to press as high as possible.

“I’ve just got that feeling of playing forward all the time. I don’t like to play too much to the sides. I just try to break the lines and try to be more offensive.”

Senesi did not make Argentina’s final 2026 World Cup squad and will therefore be available to begin preseason in early July. With lingering uncertainty surrounding captain Cristian Romero, Spurs may still pursue a second centre back. Reports from the Netherlands have linked Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham, with Micky van de Ven said to have spoken with him.

Andoni Iraola is the leading contender to succeed Arne Slot at Anfield after three strong years at Bournemouth that finished with a Europa League berth. His work on the south coast combined shrewd recruitment with his coaching to produce a team that overachieved, and those connections are now drawing interest from Liverpool.

Iraola developed a stellar relationship with his players at Bournemouth, and the suggestion that some might follow their manager to Merseyside has gained traction. There is an assumption that every soccer manager in the world is Harry Redknapp, but the modern coach relishes the discomfort of a fresh environment, and players do not always make the same leap as their boss.

Liverpool have long prioritised finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah and were reportedly considering options well before the 2026/27 season gets under way. RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande has been named as a top target, but the Ivorian is valued at €130 million ($150 million) by his club. That valuation, and the wider risk involved given that Liverpool’s two biggest recent signings endured difficult debut campaigns, make such a move a substantial gamble.

A clearer option could be Rayan. The Brazilian international joined Bournemouth in January and is described as a versatile wide player who is also comfortable operating infield. The 19-year-old has the physical tools to adapt to the Premier League. Liverpool were reportedly linked with him when he was at Vasco de Gama, and his performances on English shores have kept interest alive. Bournemouth have already stated their desire to retain the samba star.

If Liverpool do turn to Iraola’s contact book this summer, Rayan is the most fully described candidate in that conversation. Whether Liverpool will embrace the risk of a high-priced, unproven name like Yan Diomande or prefer the steadier route of pursuing a younger player who has arrived in England already will shape any moves tied to Iraola’s possible switch.

A season that divided spectators nonetheless produced clear individual standouts. “Most of the games I see in the Premier League are not, for me, a joy to watch,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted back in March, but within that contested landscape a handful of performers emerged with compelling cases for special recognition.

Between the posts, the familiar excellence of David Raya stood out. It is not normal to keep a clean sheet in more than half of your Premier League appearances and it certainly isn’t standard to win three consecutive Golden Gloves. It is increasingly normal for Raya to be the champions’ bravest passer and a defensive cornerstone.

Brentford’s Michael Kayode became a modern curiosity and a creative force. The fullback’s gender reveal in February — hurling a throw-in into an empty goal at the Gtech Community Stadium that prompted pink flares — captured his commitment to the long throw. “People think that you can play in the Premier League just because you have a good throw-in?” the Italy U21 international scoffed. “That’s crazy!” Kayode, a nominee for Best Young Player, completed the fourth-most dribbles in the division, ranking above Rayan Cherki, Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz, and helped drive the over-performing Bees upfield.

William Saliba approached defending with efficient precision, while Gabriel’s aggressive conception of beauty produced a consistently dominant campaign. “I think beautiful football is not only a beautiful pass,” the Brazilian theorized, “but also when you defend, the way you defend.”

Versatility shone at Manchester City through Nico O’Reilly, who spent most of the season at left back, offered ballast in Rodri’s absence and even operated as a box-crashing No. 8. “He has been a surprise,” Guardiola admitted, “even for me.”

Dominik Szoboszlai answered his own challenge: “I need to improve in a lot of things.” He did, dominating matches with a blend of power and finesse even as Liverpool colleagues did not match his trajectory.

At Manchester United, Casemiro rediscovered form, supplying defensive coverage and nine Premier League goals — a tally Ryan Giggs never matched for Manchester United after turning 22. Arsenal’s Declan Rice remained the team’s dependable linchpin after Arteta warned the squad their tilt would be a “roller coaster.” “There’s going to be ups, downs, so much talk,” the midfielder reflected. “The good thing with Declan is he’s so consistent, so reliable,” Arteta acknowledged.

Finally, Antoine Semenyo produced a standout season: after carrying Bournemouth’s frontline for six months he moved to Manchester City and, since his debut in January, no City player has matched his seven non-penalty Premier League goals.