Eli Junior Kroupi is back in team training at Bournemouth after four months out, and Tottenham’s summer target could be in line for a first appearance very soon.
Tottenham wanted to sign the Frenchman in the summer, but the move broke down after he suffered an injury in pre-season. Now Bournemouth manager Marco Rose has given an update on his recovery, according to reports from Read Tottenham, and it is the news Spurs fans were waiting for.
Kroupi is valued at around £85m and is wanted by some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona and Arsenal. Roberto De Zerbi’s side at Tottenham Hotspur are certainly not the only ones watching.
What did Marco Rose say about Eli Junior Kroupi’s return?
Rose confirmed the forward is close to a comeback. Speaking on Bournemouth’s official website, he said:
“Junior is back into team training but not on the UEFA list. But maybe we can have him for some minutes in Manchester.”
So there is no rush, but there is a date to look out for. The Cherries are heading to Manchester, and Kroupi could get his first minutes since the summer.
Why Tottenham still need a goalscorer
Spurs signed ten new players in the summer, yet there are still gaps to fill, particularly in attack. Richarlison has been frozen out of the squad, while Dominic Solanke has been blowing hot and cold. Another reliable goalscoring presence would do De Zerbi a world of good.
It is not the first time Tottenham have gone looking for a new attacker, and Kroupi’s injury was the reason the deal collapsed in the first place. His return reopens the conversation.
Will Tottenham make another move for Eli Junior Kroupi?
That is the big question. Kroupi is clearly a talented player and a well-documented Tottenham target, and with a price tag of around £85m, Spurs will want to be sure. The sensible approach would be to see how he fares after his injury return before deciding whether to make another move.
With Barcelona and Arsenal also in the picture, the Lilywhites will not have long to make up their minds once he is playing again. Keep an eye on Bournemouth’s trip to Manchester, because it could tell us a lot.
Author opinion
If Kroupi comes back sharp, Spurs will have to decide quickly. Richarlison is out of the picture and Solanke has not been consistent, so a proven young finisher is the obvious fix. But £85m is a lot to spend on a player coming off four months out, and the competition is fierce. Patience, then a decision, feels right.
