Arsenal could step up their efforts in signing prolific France U21 international centre-forward Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain, as per
Football Insider.
Kroupi’s senior career has taken off at a remarkable pace, and the forward has broken several records since graduating from Lorient’s academy.
At 16 years and 345 days, he became Lorient’s youngest-ever debutant, eclipsing Mateo Guendouzi’s record when he featured in the 2-1 victory over Strasbourg during the 2022-23 campaign.
The youngster later moved ahead of Andre Ayew to become the club’s youngest goalscorer, finding the net in a 5-3 defeat to FC Nantes in September 2023. He also became the youngest player in Ligue 1 to score twice in a match since 1974.
His arrival in the Premier League also brought another chapter of record-breaking achievements, finishing last season with 13 goals and surpassing the 12-goal marks set by Robbie Keane in 1999-00 and Robbie Fowler in 1993-94 to become the highest-scoring teenager in a debut season.
Although Kroupi has been sidelined for much of the campaign, interest in his signature remains strong, and he reminded clubs of his quality on his return to action last Saturday, setting up Amine Adli for Bournemouth’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Leeds United.
Having been previously credited with an interest in Kroupi last summer, Football Insider now claims that Arsenal could step up their efforts in signing the 20-year-old in January amid interest from European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
‘Special talent’
The Frenchman had previously expressed his desire to join a big club, giving Bournemouth a tough battle in their hands in retaining him as Arsenal weigh up a swoop, according to the report.
The report adds that the Gunners’ lack of reliable centre-forward depth has heightened the club’s chances of investing in another option in 2027, with Kroupi now being eyed.
Providing more details on the situation, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, reveals Arsenal’s interest in the 20-year-old but reports that a deal would be difficult to pull off in January.
He said, ‘Arsenal are big admirers of him, and there’s also big interest from PSG as well in Junior Kroupi. It’s going to be a pretty open race for his services because so many top clubs across Europe will be interested in him.
‘I don’t see a move happening in January just because of the price tag, and obviously Bournemouth don’t want to lose a key player midway through the season either.’
Kroupi, described as a ‘special talent’, would undoubtedly be a solid option for Mikel Arteta’s frontline. With Bournemouth keen on retaining the Frenchman, Arsenal will need to submit a significant offer above his £58m Transfermarkt valuation to test their resolve.