ไทย
English
中國人
Barcelona's pursuit of Bournemouth sensation Eli Junior Kroupi has run into serious trouble. Not only have the Spanish club reportedly had two offers turned down, but the 19-year-old has now suffered a significant injury setback.
Kroupi enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign with Bournemouth, netting 13 Premier League goals and far exceeding expectations, with his electrifying performances predictably drawing attention from top clubs across Europe.
Barcelona, along with Arsenal and Manchester City, were eager to acquire the France youth international this summer as they looked to bolster their attack, but any potential transfer has now been shelved.
On Tuesday, Bournemouth announced that Kroupi had successfully undergone surgery on a foot injury picked up during preseason training. Though the club gave no specific recovery timeline, reports indicate he is expected to be sidelined for three to four months.
Consequently, Barça will be unable to chase the talented forward this summer and will have to wait until at least January before rekindling their interest.
Barcelona's Lowball Bids Rebuffed By Bournemouth
Whenever Kroupi does eventually leave Bournemouth, he is sure to generate a massive windfall for the club. Having been signed for around $15 million in February 2025, he is now expected to command a nine-figure transfer fee.
Back in May, reports emerged that Bournemouth believe Kroupi could be worth as much as $134 million, and their determination to retain him this summer meant they were unlikely to entertain any offer below that figure.
Barça's interest is genuine, according to L'Équipe, who report that the club submitted two bids for Kroupi prior to his unfortunate injury. Although the player is said to be eager to join the reigning La Liga champions, both offers — each falling short of $115 million — were promptly rejected.
Head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco are both admirers of the youngster, but their pursuit will have to be placed on hold for the time being.
What Does This Mean for Julián Alvarez Pursuit?
It is well known that Barça have a strong interest in Atlético Madrid forward Julián Alvarez, and the sentiment appears to be reciprocated. The Argentine star is reportedly desperate to make his "dream" move to Camp Nou.
For now, though, Atléti are standing their ground. They have no intention of selling Alvarez at any price and have already turned down a $173.2 million offer from city rivals Real Madrid.
Enable functional cookies to see this feature.
Relations between the two clubs are strained, with The Athletic reporting that Atléti have filed a complaint against Barcelona with the Spanish soccer federation over alleged improper conduct in their pursuit of Alvarez.
The 26-year-old is clearly Barça's top priority, but Kroupi could have served as an alternative if negotiations with Atléti continued to drag on. With that option now off the table, the pressure to land Alvarez has intensified.