Tottenham handed major boost in £85m Eli Junior Kroupi pursuit after PSG decision
Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Eli Junior Kroupi has received a significant boost after one of the club’s rivals shifts their focus to another attacking target.
It has been widely reported that Tottenham are expected to sign an established striker this summer as part of Roberto De Zerbi’s rebuild following the club’s struggles in front of goal last season. And one name that has been heavily linked to Spurs over the past few weeks is Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi.
Having scored 13 Premier League goals in 21 appearances last season, the 20-year-old has also attracted interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona. However, we have already reported that Kroupi is believed to favour a move to Tottenham.
A deal is still far from straightforward, with Bournemouth maintaining throughout the summer that the Frenchman is not for sale. Even so, Spurs have now been handed a significant boost in their pursuit.
PSG appear to step away from Eli Junior Kroupi race
According to TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, Paris Saint-Germain are now increasingly unlikely to sign Kroupi after accepting that the Bournemouth star is not expected to join them this summer.
The report states that the European champions had identified the French forward as their preferred replacement for Goncalo Ramos, who is expected to be announced by AC Milan in the coming days.
However, Kroupi is understood to have reservations about moving to Paris due to concerns over regular first-team football, with established names such as Ousmane Dembele already ahead of him in the pecking order.
As a result, PSG have now switched their attention to Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, with personal terms reportedly agreed and negotiations between the two clubs progressing.
TEAMtalk add that this development has increased Tottenham’s belief that they can complete a deal for Kroupi. While the chance to join the reigning European champions was ‘naturally appealing’, the report claims the youngster’s priority has always been finding a club where he can play regularly, something Spurs believe they can offer.
Tottenham are ready to test Bournemouth’s resolve
Several reports have valued Kroupi at around £85m, a figure Tottenham are believed to be willing to meet after already breaking their transfer record twice this summer to sign Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. In fact, Barcelona reportedly view Tottenham as their biggest rivals in the race for the Bournemouth forward.
Although Bournemouth continue to insist that Kroupi is not for sale, TEAMtalk also back our previous reporting by claiming Spurs are preparing to test the Cherries’ resolve with an official offer in the coming weeks.
The North London club are said to be encouraged by the fact that both Kroupi and his representatives remain open to the move, giving Tottenham genuine confidence that a deal, likely to be worth around £85m, can still be completed before the transfer window closes.
