Arsenal’s chances of signing Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi have received a significant boost after Paris Saint-Germain reportedly decided against pursuing the teenager this summer.
Football.london understands Arsenal hold genuine interest in the 19-year-old forward after his remarkable debut Premier League campaign at Bournemouth.
Kroupi produced one of the standout individual seasons in the top flight, scoring 13 goals and finishing joint-ninth among all Premier League scorers last term.
His tally was just one goal fewer than that of Viktor Gyokeres, a remarkable achievement for a teenager making his first appearance in English football’s top division.
His minutes-per-goal ratio of 129 ranked second best among players who scored at least nine times, bettered only by Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland.
Kroupi also demonstrated his impact from the bench, scoring on four occasions as a substitute, underlining his effectiveness regardless of when he entered the field.
PSG had been tentatively linked with the France Under-21 international, but the French giants are now said to be focusing their attacking additions elsewhere this summer.
Reports from Foot Mercato had previously stated that Kroupi dreams of playing for the perennial French champions, while Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester City were all said to hold interest.
Manchester City were reportedly the most advanced, having held meetings over the player, though Bournemouth are understood to want at least £87 million for their prized asset.
With four years still remaining on his current contract, Bournemouth hold considerable leverage and are under no pressure to agree to a sale this summer under any circumstances.
However, Bournemouth’s failure to secure a place in next season’s Champions League could prove a decisive factor in Kroupi’s thinking about his immediate future.
The forward has previously made clear how important playing in European competition is to him, telling Stadium Astro his goals were to “perform with my team and perform also in Europe, because it is very beautiful to be in Europe, but you have to perform to play there.”
Kroupi’s season was defined in part by the goal he scored against Manchester City in the 1-1 draw that made it mathematically impossible for Pep Guardiola’s side to catch Arsenal.
Despite the enormous attention that goal attracted, Kroupi kept his focus firmly on his club rather than the wider narrative surrounding it.
“Yes, I have received many messages, but I tell myself that I didn’t do this for Arsenal,” Kroupi said. “I do this for Bournemouth.”
He added: “I can say I scored against Arsenal, I scored against City. It doesn’t change anything. I just wanted to help my team.”
Arsenal, who are Premier League champions, also have Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers on their summer transfer wishlist as they prepare for what promises to be an ambitious window.
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