Arsenal and Chelsea have been sent a clear transfer message from Bournemouth about two of their star players
Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth
Arsenal have been told that Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi is not for sale this January(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Arsenal have been informed by Bournemouth that Alex Scott and Eli Junior Kroupi will not be available for transfer when the January transfer window opens. The Gunners are already being linked with a move for potential new signings when the next window opens at the start of the New Year.
Scott and Kroupi were both linked with moves to Arsenal during the summer, but both remained at Bournemouth despite the intense speculation.
Kroupi suffered an injury during pre-season, which is expected to keep the forward on the sidelines until around November, putting an end to speculation that a summer departure could be on the cards.
Scott, meanwhile, is reported to have explored a deal to leave Bournemouth in the summer, with the Cherries seeing two attempts to agree a contract extension knocked back.
It’s not just Arsenal who have been linked with moves for both Scott and Kroupi, with Chelsea and Manchester United mentioned as potential destinations for both players.
BBC Sport have now reported that Bournemouth have made it clear that they are not going to sanction any potential exit for either Scott or Kroupi in January.
Arsenal are mentioned in the report as having an interest in signing Scott, along with both Chelsea and Liverpool, but a deal looks unlikely to happen based on the latest update.
Chelsea are reported to have made a £64million bid to Bournemouth in an attempt to sign Scott, but saw that offer turned down by the Cherries.
The Blues pursued a deal for a new midfielder before the summer transfer window closed, with Monaco star Lamine Camara a target to replace Enzo Fernandez, who joined Manchester City on deadline day for £125million.
Xabi Alonso's side could revisit the transfer market in January to strengthen their midfield options, but it's unclear if that will point towards a fresh attempt to sign Scott in the New Year.
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As a result, both the Gunners and the Blues may have to reassess their targets after being given a clear message about Scott.
For Kroupi, Arsenal were linked with signing the versatile forward in the summer as the club looked to revamp their attacking options.
Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all left the Emirates Stadium in the summer, with Christos Tzolis the only new forward brought to the club as a replacement.
It now remains to be seen what plans both Arsenal and Chelsea have for when the January transfer window opens, and whether the latest update from Bournemouth will affect either of their plans.