Arsenal set to battle Barcelona over another £85m striker in January - and it's not Julian Alvarez

Arsenal are acceptable to conflict Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona for the signing of AFC Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi successful January, with the Frenchman emerging arsenic 1 of Europe's astir coveted young forwards.

The 20-year-old impressed during his archetypal afloat Premier League run past play and could bid a immense interest if Bournemouth are convinced to sell.

However, Kroupi's caller injury means clubs volition archetypal privation to spot whether helium tin instrumentality to his champion earlier committing to a mid-season deal.

Arsenal, Spurs and Barcelona conflict for Eli Junior Kroupi

According to reports successful Spain, Barcelona person made Kroupi 1 of their priorities aft previously attempting to motion him during the summer.

The Catalan giants reportedly made 2 offers worthy little than £85m, lone for Bournemouth to cull some proposals earlier Kroupi's ft wounded ended immoderate anticipation of a transfer.

The Frenchman scored 13 goals successful 33 Premier League appearances during the 2025/26 campaign, and that signifier has attracted Arsenal and Tottenham, who proceed to show his concern and could see moves successful January.

Kroupi is presently recovering from country connected a fractured 5th metatarsal suffered during pre-season, with his instrumentality expected astir the commencement of November.

Bournemouth stay successful an highly beardown negotiating position, too. His declaration runs until 2030, and the Cherries are reportedly looking for astatine slightest £85m, with the anticipation of the last bundle exceeding that figure.

Why Arsenal request to triumph Kroupi transportation race

Arsenal's interest would marque plentifulness of consciousness fixed their request for a semipermanent solution astatine centre-forward.

Kroupi's age, Premier League acquisition and goalscoring grounds marque him peculiarly appealing, portion his imaginable to make into an elite striker would acceptable Arsenal's recruitment strategy.

The biggest interest would beryllium the price.

Paying astir £85m for a subordinate who has lone enjoyed 1 standout Premier League play would correspond a immense gamble, peculiarly aft his caller injury.

Yet if Kroupi returns successful November and instantly starts producing again, Arsenal whitethorn person small prime but to enactment quickly, having already battled Barcelona implicit Julian Alvarez each summer.

The LaLiga giants and Tottenham are lurking, portion Bournemouth's tremendous asking terms could emergence further if a bidding warfare develops.