Arsenal have joined Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi this summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old had an impressive Premier League campaign last season, scoring 13 goals and attracting interest from several of England’s top clubs.
Andoni Iraola departed Bournemouth at the end of last season to take up the managerial role at Liverpool, sparking uncertainty over the futures of several Cherries players.
Kroupi is among those expected to potentially leave the club following Iraola’s exit, with his performances drawing widespread attention across the Premier League.
According to talkSPORT, Arsenal have entered the mix for Kroupi’s signature as Mikel Arteta looks to add competition for Viktor Gyokeres, who has been very inconsistent in the final third.
Tottenham had already been keeping tabs on the young striker before Arsenal made their move to register an interest in the Bournemouth forward.
Kroupi is valued at £60 million on Transfermarkt, though it remains to be seen exactly how much Bournemouth would demand for his departure this summer.
Arsenal could offer Kroupi the lure of Champions League football next season, which represents a significant advantage in any potential negotiations with the player.
However, Tottenham may still hold the upper hand in this transfer battle, given their own ambitions in the current window and the prospect of more regular first-team minutes.
Dominic Solanke’s fitness issues in recent months mean Kroupi could realistically expect extensive playing time at Spurs, even if initially signed as a secondary option.
Whether Arsenal are prepared to spend £60 million on a player likely to serve as backup to Gyokeres remains a genuine question for Arteta and the club’s hierarchy to answer.
Kroupi’s ability to build on his 13-goal tally and perform on the European stage could prove decisive in determining which club ultimately secures his services this summer.