Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City face disappointment in their pursuit of Eli Junior Kroupi, with Bournemouth having told their star names there is “no way” they are leaving this summer. The 20-year-old forward hit 13 goals in a breakout Premier League season, putting him on the radar of Europe’s top sides. Tottenham in particular had put him near the top of their list of targets as they look to secure a top-class forward. But sources at Bournemouth have laughed off the idea of a £100m move in this transfer window, insisting his asking price will be significantly more in 2027 – when the club will listen to offers.
Bournemouth have in recent weeks informed Kroupi – along with other wanted stars Alex Scott, Brazil forward Rayan and defender Adrien Truffert – that they will not be allowed to leave this summer as the Cherries prepare for their first ever European campaign under new head coach Marco Rose. Those conversations have also taken place with the player’s representatives and family members so that “everyone is on the same page” heading into a new era on the south coast. The stance – which reflects Bournemouth’s ability to comply with Uefa and Premier League squad cost ratio rules after high-profile recent sales – comes from the ownership down and sources insist it “will not change”, even if offers are made. Over the last two transfer windows Bournemouth have made substantial sales, allowing Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Antoine Semenyo, Ilya Zabarnyi and Dango Ouattara all to leave. That “housekeeping”, along with none of the players having active release clauses in this window, has allowed them to dictate their stance.
“Bournemouth tell Arsenal, Spurs and Man City that Eli Junior Kroupi is not for sale this summer.”
Even if Bournemouth do expect to make sales next summer, there’s a feeling that the trajectory of the transfer market will enable them to recoup closer to £125m or even more for Kroupi if he continues to progress. As revealed in May, there is no release clause in his contract. This summer prices for midfield and attacking talent have shifted significantly upwards, with Elliot Anderson moving for £116m and Morgan Rogers set to complete a £117m move from Aston Villa to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are closing in on a new signing, with Roberto De Zerbi set to land a Welshman who worked under the Spurs head coach at Brighton. The move comes as Bournemouth’s hardline stance forces suitors to look elsewhere.
Elsewhere, Heart of Midlothian begin their Champions League campaign under a new head coach, having emerged from a “crazy two months” of transformation without the old guard. The Jambos start their latest adventure in the competition, seeking the promised land.