Liverpool have put Bournemouth sensation Junior Eli Kroupi on their shortlist as a potential summer transfer after his breakout campaign this season, according to Caught Offside.
The Reds splashed huge money in the summer to strengthen their attack, bringing in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in British record transfers worth £125m and £116m respectively, as well as Hugo Ekitike, and they also convinced Mohamed Salah to sign a new contract before his deal expired.
But the team have struggled massively this season with injuries and form, and now manager Arne Slot has identified the 19-year-old as an option to come in and help provide more depth and competition going forward.
Liverpool Eyeing Mega Kroupi Deal
eli kroupi
Kroupi, who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe, has lit up the Premier League this season after joining the Cherries from Lorient, registering eight goals in 11 starts.
His explosive pace and skill has attracted the interest of several top clubs, and Liverpool consider him to be someone who could come into the team and have an immediate impact, while he may not instantly command a starting spot considering the other options at their disposal.
Liverpool know that any deal would not be easy, with Bournemouth earning a reputation for being tough negotiators. However, after they sold all of Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo since last summer, there is an acceptance that they are willing to sell players for the right price.
Bournemouth insiders believe that the right price for French youngster Kroupi could be a club-record sale, with a fee of up to £80m mooted as he is under contract at the Vitality Stadium until 2030.
It's unclear if Liverpool, or anyone else, would be willing to pay that much, but Bournemouth are in no rush to sell, and it may take that level of offer to make them consider letting their star forward depart.
Kroupi Would Be a Top Signing
AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
Liverpool have a lot of holes in their squad, as evidenced by the sheer number of injuries they've had this season, and the forward area remains one that needs reinforcements despite the huge investment last summer.
Salah's future at the club is up in the air after his outburst earlier this season, while it's clear that Slot doesn't trust Federico Chiesa, and Rio Ngumoha is still a very inexperienced teenager who will need managing before being relied upon too heavily.
That leaves Cody Gakpo Ekitike, Isak and Wirtz as the only other attackers, so the addition of Kroupi would bring more talent and options, while also providing some versatility, and it's definitely one to keep an eye on between now and the end of the season.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot before facing Barnsley in the FA Cup. Related
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