Bournemouth's 20-year-old star Junior Kroupi has been ruled out for three to four months after sustaining a foot injury during the club's pre-season preparations. The injury occurred while the squad was away on their tour of Austria, and the player was immediately sent back to England for specialist assessment and treatment. Following his return home, Kroupi underwent successful surgery on Wednesday to address the problem. The medical staff expects a recovery period of three to four months, which is a massive setback for the Cherries, as it ensures the forward will be unavailable for the start of the Premier League season and the early stages of the club's historic first adventure in the Europa League. The injury news comes at a time when Kroupi's future is the subject of intense speculation across the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are both understood to have placed the attacker high on their summer wish lists, with Spurs reportedly considering him a priority target. Valued at £80 million, the Frenchman became one of the most sought-after young players in Europe following a breakout season where his pace and clinical finishing caught the eye of the division's traditional big hitters. Last season, Kroupi was instrumental in Bournemouth's climb up the table, netting 13 goals to help the club secure a sixth-place finish. This achievement was unprecedented for the Cherries, granting them a place in continental competition for the first time in their history. Bournemouth secured Kroupi's signature from Lorient in February for a £10 million fee. However, the youngster remained with the French side for the remainder of the season before officially joining the Cherries in the summer of 2025. The club remains committed to supporting new manager Marco Rose in his maiden campaign in the dugout. Rose, who succeeded Andoni Iraola following his departure to manage Liverpool, took the reins during the summer and is eager to have his best players available as he implements his tactical philosophy. While losing Kroupi for the opening months is a frustration for the former RB Leipzig boss, the club intends to keep the squad together to ensure Rose has the necessary depth to compete on both domestic and European fronts, starting with their Premier League opener away to Manchester City on August 23. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 11th in Premier League, 45 pts, 10W-15D-7L from 32 games, recent form WDDDD. Goals this season: 48 scored, 49 conceded (-1 goal difference). Title race: 25 points behind leaders Arsenal. Next fixture: vs Aston Villa (away, 2027-02-10) (4th in the table).