FC Barcelona has submitted two offers to AFC Bournemouth to sign Eli Junior Kroupi, both rejected, according to L’Equipe. Barça are looking for a new striker after Robert Lewandowski left. Their pursuit of Julián Alvarez from Atlético Madrid seems to have hit a wall, and Kroupi had emerged as a top alternative before a foot injury ended any hopes of a deal.
According to the report, the forward was excited to join the Catalans and had made it known to his agents. However, Bournemouth see an opportunity
to extract maximum value if they decide to let him go. The exact proposed fees were not revealed, but it is said they are both under 100 million euro.
Kroupi is rated highly by Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, and is reportedly appreciated by manager Hansi Flick as well. Atlético have been firm in rejecting advances for Alvarez, who despite showing some signs of rebellion, has not committed to taking the next step and doing something more drastic, such as not reporting for training. Failing that, Barcelona may be forced to give up if nothing changes on that front.
Kroupi was the plan B that could move to plan A if that’s the case, but the Catalans were wary of overspending for a player who, despite his immense potential, scored 13 goals in the Premier League last season – a respectable total, but not worth an earth-shattering transfer fee.
Interestingly, it is said Paris Saint-Germain are out of the running for Kroupi entirely, and have turned their attention towards Barcelona’s own Ferran Torres. Such a sale would put Barça in an interesting situation, as they would presumably need to replace two strikers, not just one.
And even though pessimism has set in over Alvarez, the Catalans have not given up quite yet. Barcelona will continue pushing and hoping Atléti finally fold.
