Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his attack ahead of their Premier League title defence
Bournemouth winger Eli Junior Kroupi smiles
Arsenal have been linked with a summer move for Bournemouth winger Eli Junior Kroupi (Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal-linked Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi reportedly "dreams" of joining European champions Paris Saint-Germain. The Cherries ended the season with a remarkable 18-match unbeaten run to secure European football for the first time in their history.
The departing Andoni Iraola steered the South Coast club to a sixth-place Premier League finish to earn a Europa League berth. Bournemouth finished just three points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool, who sealed Champions League qualification.
Now, several of the Cherries' most prized assets have already been linked with departures from the Vitality Stadium. One such player is Kroupi, who has impressed during his first full season in English football following a January arrival last year, netting 13 goals in the Premier League.
His performances have sparked speculation that Arsenal could target the 19-year-old, with several other clubs also reportedly circling. And PSG are one such side with French outlet Footmercato now claiming that Kroupi would be delighted at the prospect of joining them.
It is said that Bournemouth's asking price is around £86million and that Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Manchester City are also interested. Arsenal's interest comes amid their intent on making attacking reinforcements a top priority as part of a broader squad overhaul following their Champions League final defeat.
Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta is said to have earmarked a left winger, striker, right-back and a new midfielder as the positions he wants to strengthen over the summer. And Arsenal have received a glowing review of Kroupi's talent from Iraola, who is set to take over at Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his Arsenal side this summer(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Speaking in April, he said: “I think Junior has been a big challenge for me this season, one of the biggest challenges because we noticed straightaway that he has special things. His finishing is top for me.
“But we had to work a lot with him and, especially, he has had to do a lot of work that he wasn’t used to to win his minutes. He has become a much better player for me.
“I know he had a good start and scored goals but I try not to talk to him about goals because this is something which is natural and he will always have it.
“So, I have tried to make him focus on other parts and he has improved a lot.” The summer transfer window opens on June 15 and closes three weeks into the Premier League season on September 1.
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