Jul 29, 2026, 5:12 PM UTC
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth - Premier League
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth - Premier League
Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Barcelona’s main alternative to Julián Álvarez for the striker position in the summer transfer window is no longer an option as Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi will miss three to four months after undergoing surgery on a broken bone in his foot.
Kroupi suffered the injury in training during his team’s pre-season camp in Austria and had surgery on Wednesday. He’s not expected back until late October or November, and any potential transfer this summer is likely ruled out.
Bournemouth maintained all along that the 20-year-old was not for sale, and interested clubs will now likely wait until next year to make a move after the news of Kroupi’s surgery. The Premier League club want at least €100 million, a price Barça were not willing to match.
With Kroupi now out with injury and Álvarez unlikely to be sold by Atlético Madrid, Barça will have to look elsewhere in their search for a striker.
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