Bournemouth's young sensation nets another goal. Liverpool, Chelsea and PSG vie for his signature.
Once again on the scoresheet Saturday against Arsenal, Eli Junior Kroupi continues to turn the heads of Europe's biggest clubs. The young French forward is coveted, and Bournemouth could let him go for around 70 million euros. Paris Saint-Germain is gradually entering the picture.
A first season in the Premier League and already a record for Kroupi, 19. The striker scored his 10th goal of the season in the top flight of English soccer on Saturday against league leader Arsenal. A record for a U-20 player making his Premier League debut in the 21st century.
A result that allowed the Cherries to claim the scalp of the league leader and extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches. Initially used as a luxury substitute by Andoni Iraola at the start of the season, the former Lorient man is now a regular starter. The French under-21 international (five caps, three goals) is now being pursued by the biggest clubs in England and Europe.
CaughtOffside took stock of Kroupi's suitors on Sunday. Liverpool and Chelsea are the two clubs furthest ahead in the race. "Liverpool and Chelsea have a very concrete interest; they’re both really keen to make a deal happen this summer and are looking into it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool have already had some conversations," a source told the British outlet.
The Reds are enduring a difficult season in Arne Slot's second year, and the forwards have struggled to convince. Bournemouth could sell its forward for between 65 and 70 million euros.
Paris Saint-Germain is also monitoring the situation. The capital club would like to bring the young forward back to France. But the English press notes that the reigning Champions League winner is not as far along as Chelsea and Liverpool. When asked about the interest from other clubs, Eli Junior Kroupi said he was staying focused on his season.
"It is beautiful to see these big clubs taking an interest in me, but after that, the most important thing is what I do on the pitch. The Premier League is the best league in the world," he said in early March on Telefoot. The summer looks set to be a busy one.
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