Bournemouth confident of signing defender Marcos Senesi

Bournemouth are confident of buying highly-rated defender Marcos Senesi after completing the signing of goalkeeper Neto as the newly-promoted club finally responds to Scott Parker’s demands to strengthen his threadbare squad.

Following Saturday’s encouraging 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa Neto, the 33-year-old Barcelona back-up goalkeeper arrived in Bournemouth to sign a 12-month contract after being allowed to leave on a free transfer.

His signing will come as a relief to Parker who only has inexperienced Will Dennis, who has just one first-team appearance, as under-study to first-choice Mark Travers. This is an extraordinary state of affairs for a Premier League club.

Bournemouth will follow up the signing of the Brazilian with the arrival of Senesi who is due to fly to England to complete a £12.6 million move from Feyenoord, who reached the final of last season’s Europa Conference League. The 25-year-old Argentinian centre-back – who made his international debut earlier this summer – will sign a four-year.

Parker has demanded the signing of at least two defenders to add to his squad, especially as he plans to play with five at the back this season as he tries to keep Bournemouth up against the odds.  Parker currently only has three centre-halves, only one of which, captain Lloyd Kelly, is expected to be first-choice. Against Villa, Parker played midfielder Jefferson Lerma in defence.

It is understood that Bournemouth who, until their offer for Senesi was accepted had spent just £10m since being promoted, on midfielder Marcus Tavernier from Middlesbrough, will try and make more signings this week to keep Parker happy and give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation.

The manager is pressing the club with Bournemouth having lost eight players from the squad that finished second in the Championship last season and with a tough start this campaign with their next three fixtures against Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.