Arsenal will face competition from Europe's elite and the stubborn position of Bournemouth when it comes to their interest in Eli Junior Kroupi
Eli Junior Kroupi is of strong transfer interest from Arsenal this summer
Eli Junior Kroupi is of strong transfer interest from Arsenal this summer(Image: MB Media/Getty Images)
View Image
Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Eli Junior Kroupi’s return from injury football.london understands, amid interest in the French forward. However, the Premier League champions face serious competition from Europe’s elite.
Kroupi returned in style for Bournemouth following a major foot injury which kept him out of the first two-plus months of the season. He came off the bench against Leeds United to produce a glorious no-look assist for the Cherries’ second to secure the three points as Marco Rose’s team responded to a tricky start to the season.
Arsenal are on the lookout for forward reinforcement this winter after selling Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus while also allowing Ethan Nwaneri to leave on loan. Only Christos Tzolis was signed, while injuries have befallen several attackers, including the Greek winger who returned from a hamstring issue to help beat Liverpool.
Make sure you never miss the latest Arsenal news and opinion by making Football London one of your Google preferred sources
Bukayo Saka is now out for the foreseeable future with a quadriceps problem too. Arsenal ended up arguably weakening a forward line that looked set to take a step forward in early August, only to fail to deliver the marquee player so many were expecting.
Kroupi was of interest, as football.london reported, earlier in the summer; however, the injury stopped any club from pursuing a move. It is also understood that Bournemouth’s position remains firm that the player is not for sale, despite their shift in position on Alex Scott, for whom the south coast club will seek a triple-million-pound figure.
Further complication for Arsenal is that, after Paris Saint-Germain’s loss of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, they initially decided against a move for Kroupi in the summer but have since revived their interest. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on the 20-year-old.
Arsenal will have strong competition, and there is a feeling that they might not be willing to spend what the likes of PSG would be able to stump up to change the stubborn position of Bournemouth on the youngster. However, the feeling is that Arsenal will look to reinforce their attack this winter regardless.