Fenerbahçe add Bournemouth defender Marco Senesi to January shortlist

Fenerbahçe have added Bournemouth defender Marco Senesi to their January transfer shortlist, with the Turkish giants reportedly preparing to test the Premier League club’s resolve with only a nominal transfer fee.

According to Takvim, Fenerbahçe are looking to strengthen their central defensive options during the winter window and have identified Marco Senesi as a potential opportunity signing.

Senesi’s contract at AFC Bournemouth is due to expire at the end of the current season, a key factor behind Fenerbahçe’s approach. The Turkish side are said to be unwilling to pay a significant transfer fee and instead hope to strike a deal for a minimal sum.

A meeting is reportedly planned for this weekend, during which terms will be discussed with the player’s camp. Following those talks, Fenerbahçe intend to draw up a clear roadmap for a possible move.

While the transfer fee would be kept low, Fenerbahçe are prepared to make a strong financial offer to Senesi himself. Takvim claim the defender could be offered a salary of around €5m per year — a notable increase on his current €3.25m annual earnings at Bournemouth.

Whether that pay rise will be enough to tempt the Argentine into a move to Turkey remains uncertain, particularly with other options potentially available as he approaches free agency.

From Bournemouth’s perspective, the timing is far from ideal. The club are already expected to lose Antoine Semenyo during the January window, and allowing another first-team regular to depart — especially for a cut-price fee — may not appeal.

With Senesi’s contract winding down, Bournemouth must weigh up whether cashing in now for a nominal amount is preferable to keeping the defender until the summer and risking a free transfer.

At this stage, it remains unclear whether the Premier League side would be willing to sanction an exit under such terms.

Much will depend on the outcome of the planned talks and Bournemouth’s wider January strategy. If Fenerbahçe are unwilling to improve their offer to the club, the move could stall quickly — but the contract situation ensures Senesi’s future will remain a topic of discussion in the coming weeks.

Should Bournemouth accept a low January fee for Marco Senesi — or keep him and risk losing him for nothing in the summer?