Eli Junior Kroopy has returned to first-team training at Bournemouth and could feature in the coming days, but the Cherries still insist no January bid for the 20-year-old will be accepted, regardless of what Arsenal are willing to pay.
Having scored a double in his first season in the Premier League, the young striker is quickly attracting attention. A serious injury can stop that interest while a player recovers, but the grade rarely drops. This is exactly where Kroupy is sitting now.
The Frenchman joined from Lorient for £10m and scored 13 league goals last season. Interest followed in the summer and Arsenal were among the clubs linked with a move before talks broke down.
Eli Junior Kroopy transfer: How the £100m valuation took shape
As reported by Standard Sport in the summer, Kroupi was the target of Arsenal after these 13 goals. It is understood that a bid in the region of £100m would be needed to test Bournemouth’s resolve.
Cherry’s position was that it should not be sold. Club insiders felt Kroupy would benefit from another season with them and their position was strengthened by securing European football. Finally, it stayed put.
These negotiations never progressed anyway. A preseason foot injury required surgery and a broken metatarsal sidelined him for up to four months on the treatment table.
Is Eli Junior Kroupy coming back sooner than expected?
It seems so. “Bournemouth” head coach Marco Rose said: “Junior is back in team training but not on the UEFA list, but maybe we can keep him in Manchester for a few minutes.”
It’s a faster timeline than first feared, and puts her recovery at the heart of the story before any speculation.
Will Bournemouth sell Kroupi to Arsenal in January?
Not if the club takes its current position. Arsenal, among other clubs, have been tipped to make a move for the forward in the winter window, but BBC Sport recently reported that Bournemouth are still unwilling to entertain offers in January.
For the other player, the picture is different. Bournemouth have softened their no-sale stance on Alex Scott, so the door isn’t closed to the entire squad, just this squad.
Why did Arsenal want Kroupi in the first place?
Arsenal’s interest stemmed from the need for additional attacking options after their summer moves. The same logic is behind previous names such as the club’s search for a winger again after Bukayo Saka’s injury and PSG’s wonder on the list.
Kroupy’s form last season made him one of the most outstanding young strikers in the league. The focus at the moment is getting him back on the pitch and the January window remains closed for work as far as he is concerned.
Author’s opinion
A £100m price tag on a 20-year-old with one full top-flight season is a figure that will dazzle Gooners and Bournemouth know it. Selling a match, scoring a goal in the middle of the season is difficult, and selling someone injured is even harder. Expect this to resurface in the summer, not the winter.