Juventus are the latest European giants to enter the race for Eli Junior Kroupi and they want everyone to know it.
The 20-year-old has spent much of this season recovering from foot surgery at Bournemouth, but his list of admirers continues to grow. Barcelona were said to be closely following at the start of October, with Arsenal and Tottenham both linked and now the Bianconeri have joined.
According to TuttoJuve, the Turin club are closely monitoring the forward and see him as one of the most exciting young prospects in the Premier League.
What does “Juventus” see in Kroupi?
Juventus are currently looking for young strikers who offer quality and long-term potential, and Eli Junior Kroupe ticks both boxes. He is one of the footballers who stand out with his performance in “Bournemouth” jersey.
A big selling point is its versatility. Kroupi can lead the line as a centre-forward, play out wide or move in behind the main striker, and this flexibility is what makes him so attractive in Turin.
The reason is quite simple. Juventus are desperate for more unpredictability and a breakthrough in the back three, and they believe a player who can play in three different positions will give them both.
Eli Junior Kroupi stats: the debut season no one saw coming
Bournemouth FC paid Lorient just £10m for the Frenchman, and he has repaid that fee many times over in his first year in England.
Under Andoni Iraola, who is now Liverpool manager, Kroopy finished the season with 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances. No teenager has scored more goals in his debut season in the Premier League.
| Bowed at Bournemouth | Image |
|---|---|
| signed from | FC Lorient |
| Payment | £10 million |
| Premier League matches last season | 33 |
| Goals in the Premier League last season | 13 |
Numbers like these don’t stay quiet for long, and they don’t. Most of Europe’s biggest clubs have been pictured at one point or another since then.
Did Croupie open the door for a move?
He didn’t close it exactly. Asked last month about the prospect of a major move in the future, Croupy said: “I will give everything to play in the biggest clubs in the world, in the best leagues in the world.”
It has already been seen as an incentive by clubs already in the circuit, and Juventus do not want to be left behind if he is available.
Why Bournemouth hold all the cards
Wanting it and getting it are very different things. A preseason foot injury required surgery and Croupy has been trying to make a comeback ever since. He returned to team training at the end of October, but Bournemouth have already made it clear that no January offer for him will be accepted, whatever a suitor is willing to pay.
He is not even in the Europa League squad yet. Ben Gannon-Doak has been replaced by UEFA’s 60-day injury ban and Marco Rose has said a replacement will only be available after Thursday night’s trip to Sparta Prague, so the end-of-month game at Celta Vigo is the earliest he can play in Europe.
“Bournemouth” is also doing well without him. Rose’s side have won six in a row, with Evanilson leading the line as a real number nine, so there’s no pressure on the Cherries to cash in on the unlikely player they already have.
Verdict: Juventus will have to wait their turn
Now, “Juventus” making a noise is not related to the contract in January, but to the inclusion of their names in the list. Bournemouth have a striker back from surgery, a record-breaking season behind him, a winning squad without him and no reason to sell.
The real test comes when Kroupe scores regularly. If he picks up where he left off, the queue will be longer and Bournemouth will be able to tell their price. Until then, the Bianconeri are simply making sure they are in the room when the bidding starts.