Eli Junior Kroupi has made it clear he wants to play for the biggest clubs in the world, and that is exactly the kind of line Tottenham, Arsenal and Barcelona will have been waiting to hear.
The 20-year-old Bournemouth striker is back from a foot injury that wrecked his summer, and according to Sport Witness, Spurs and the Gunners both still have him on their radar after considering a move in the last window.
The Cherries value him at around €100m, and that price is not coming down any time soon.
What has Eli Junior Kroupi said about his future?
Kroupi spoke to DAZN in France, with his comments relayed by Spanish outlet Sport, and he did not hide his ambition.
The Frenchman said: “I’m going to give everything to play for the biggest clubs in the world, in the best leagues in the world.”
It is hardly a transfer request, but it is not the language of a player planning a long stay on the south coast either. His agent, Moussa Sissoko, had already refused to close the door on an exit before the injury struck, which gave his suitors plenty of encouragement.
Why Tottenham and Arsenal want Eli Junior Kroupi
Bournemouth agreed a deal with FC Lorient in February 2025, and Kroupi arrived later that summer. His debut season was a big one: 13 Premier League goals from 33 matches.
That form put him on the shortlists of Arsenal, Tottenham and Barcelona. In June, the Gunners made contact about signing the France U21 international, and Bournemouth’s €100m asking price did not scare Mikel Arteta’s side off. A month later, a report from Spain said Spurs had shown interest in the forward too.
Then came the foot injury in July, which ruled him out for close to three months and killed any chance of a summer move. We covered his return to Bournemouth training last week, and he has wasted little time getting back on the pitch since.
Back in action for the Cherries
Kroupi returned last weekend in Bournemouth’s 3-0 win over Manchester United, and on Wednesday he played ten minutes of the Cherries’ EFL Cup win over Aston Villa.
Barcelona are still in the Eli Junior Kroupi race
Spurs and Arsenal are not alone. In the summer, Barcelona identified Kroupi as an alternative to Atlético Madrid’s Julián Alvarez, and they ended up missing out on both.
Sport now says the La Liga winners continue to keep him on their radar, with Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco holding positive reports on the Frenchman. He is seen as a target for next summer.
The problem for Barca is the Premier League. Arsenal and Tottenham’s interest reportedly “threatens to drive up the price” even further, which makes a deal for the Catalans even more complicated.
Should Tottenham pay €100m for Eli Junior Kroupi?
Not yet, and probably not in January. Spurs have been linked with a forward signing in January, but Kroupi has played a handful of minutes after nearly three months out, and he still has to prove he is the same player who scored 13 league goals last season.
That is the key point. If he does not shine again on the pitch, it is unlikely the top clubs will put €100m on the table. If he does, N17 will be up against Arsenal and Barcelona for a 20-year-old who has just told the world where he wants to end up. The smart play is to keep watching, keep the relationship warm and be ready to move when the price and the player both look right.
