Chelsea monitoring Bournemouth centre-forward Eli Junior Kroupi

Chelsea are holding tabs on Bournemouth’s in-form centre-forward Eli Junior Kroupi over a potential summer season transfer, in response to The Solar. 

A product of Lorient’s academy, Kroupi was handed his senior debut on the closing day of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season. Aged 16 years and 345 days, he surpassed Matteo Guendouzi’s long-standing mark to grow to be the youngest participant within the membership’s historical past, launched for the ultimate seven minutes of a 2–1 victory over Strasbourg.

His involvement grew in the course of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, and he quickly set one other landmark by overtaking Andre Ayew’s file as Lorient’s youngest goalscorer, scoring in a 5–3 defeat to Nantes in September 2023. Not lengthy after, he struck twice in a 3–3 draw with Lyon, changing into the youngest participant since 1974 to attain a brace in Ligue 1.

These shows in France attracted curiosity from a number of sides earlier than Bournemouth secured his signing. This season, the 19-year-old has scored eight Premier League targets, together with a ferocious strike within the current 2–0 win in opposition to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Following his speedy rise, The Solar claims that Bournemouth have been in talks to increase his contract on the Vitality Stadium, and with curiosity in his companies hovering, the Cherries want to recoup a club-record £80m from his sale.

Thrilling prospect

The South Coast outfit’s keenness on extending his contract comes after persistent curiosity from golf equipment within the 19-year-old, as The Solar claims that Chelsea have been holding tabs on the thrilling ahead.

The report provides that the London giants have frequently despatched scouts to watch his performances forward of a potential transfer in subsequent summer season’s switch window.

Contemplating his meteoric rise, it’s unsurprising that a number of high European golf equipment are vying for his signature, because the report reveals that Liverpool, Actual Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain are set to battle the Blues for Kroupi’s signature.

Chelsea have already got loads of attacking choices at their disposal, with additional reinforcements additionally scheduled to reach subsequent season.

Agreements are in place for Emanuel Emegha and Dastan Satpaev to affix in the summertime. On the identical time, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, and academy prospects Shumaira Mheuka and Dujuan Richards stay a part of the squad at Stamford Bridge.

Though Kroupi possesses the qualities and potential to grow to be world-class, Rosenior presently has a number of choices. Therefore, reinforcement ought to be focused elsewhere, such because the centre-back place, fairly than spending £80m on one other thrilling prospect.