Bournemouth have made a firm decision to keep Eli Junior Kroupi during the January transfer window, blocking a potential exit for the highly-rated forward. The club are adamant the 20-year-old is not for sale midway through the season, despite significant interest from several Premier League rivals.
Kroupi missed the first months of the campaign due to a foot injury that required surgery, but is now fully fit and has made his season debut. He came off the bench in the recent 3-0 victory over Manchester United and also featured for ten minutes in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa. His return is viewed as a major boost for a Bournemouth side that has hit a rich vein of form, winning their last five matches across all competitions. This run includes a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, which lifted the Cherries to 13th in the Premier League table with nine points from eight games.
Interest from top clubs
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have all monitored Kroupi's situation. Tottenham were particularly keen during the summer and were prepared to table a record-breaking offer before his injury derailed their pursuit. Arsenal have since reignited their interest, while Manchester United have made enquiries about his fitness and availability. Despite this sustained attention from elite clubs, Bournemouth have blocked all approaches and are determined to keep their attacking options intact.
The club's stance is clear: Kroupi is a key part of their plans under head coach Marco Rose. After a difficult start to the season, the team's fortunes have transformed with a five-game winning streak, scoring 12 goals in the process. Kroupi's goalscoring pedigree, he netted 13 times in the Premier League last season, is seen as vital for sustaining this momentum. The same protective stance applies to other key attacking players like Rayan and Marcus Tavernier, as the club aims to avoid a wider exodus and build a stable core.
Sources close to the club insist Bournemouth are delighted to have the forward back available as they prepare for their next challenge. The Cherries host Leeds United at Vitality Stadium on Saturday, looking to extend their winning run against a side currently seventh in the standings. With Kroupi now integrated back into the squad, Bournemouth are focused on climbing the table rather than entertaining offers for one of their most promising talents.
The report in full is at Yahoo Sports
