David Moyes emerges as rival to Chelsea in race for Premier League free agent

Chelsea’s quiet January window has not stopped the club from drawing up contingency plans at centre-half, and the name now topping their shortlist is Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi. Yet the Londoners are no longer alone in pursuit of the 29-year-old Argentine, with former West Ham and Everton manager David Moyes understood to have entered the battle to secure the defender on a free transfer this summer.

Senesi, who joined Bournemouth from Feyenoord in 2022, is approaching the final weeks of his contract on the south coast and will be available without a fee when the current campaign closes. The left-footed stopper has accumulated 115 appearances for the Cherries and has become a consistent organiser in their back line, attributes that have caught the attention of a growing cast of suitors.

Tutto Juve journalist Mirko Di Natale reports that Borussia Dortmund made fresh contact last week, adding the Bundesliga giants to a queue that already included Juventus, Roma, Brighton, Everton, Crystal Palace and Chelsea. Sources close to Moyes indicate the experienced coach—currently evaluating his next project—has now prioritised Senesi as the type of proven Premier League performer capable of shoring up a defence quickly, a factor that could make him an attractive proposition for any club seeking an immediate upgrade without a transfer outlay.

Chelsea’s interest is driven by necessity as much as opportunity. Interim boss Liam Rosenior has guided the team to seven wins in nine matches since taking the reins from Enzo Maresca, but injuries have mounted. Tosin Adarabioyo is sidelined, loanee Axel Disasi is unavailable, and while Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chofana, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile offer promise, the squad lacks seasoned Premier League leadership beyond the treatment room.

Technical staff initially identified three centre-backs in January: Como’s Jacobo Ramon, Liverpool-bound Jeremy Jacquet and Senesi. With Jacquet already committed to Anfield, Senesi has emerged as the most attainable option, even though his age profile sits outside the club’s recent focus on players 25 and under.

A free transfer would allow Chelsea to add experience without compromising their longer-term strategy, yet Moyes’ involvement could drive up wage demands or spark a swift decision from the player. The former Manchester United and Real Sociedad manager is known for his ability to convince domestic talent that his next job will centre on stability and European qualification, a pitch that could resonate with a defender entering the peak years of his career.

For now, Senesi remains a Bournemouth player, but with less than three months remaining on his deal, the race for his signature is intensifying. Chelsea still hold admiration for the Argentine, but the entrance of Moyes—and the interest from Dortmund, Juventus and a cluster of Premier League rivals—means Stamford Bridge chiefs may have to act decisively if they want to secure an experienced, cost-free reinforcement ahead of next season.