Eli Junior Kroupi: Liverpool plot to ruin Man United’s plan for Bournemouth star | OneFootball

Manchester United face mounting pressure to agree a deal for AFC Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi before their fiercest rival strikes first, according to a new report.

Eyed by Europe’s Elite

Kroupi, 19, has enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign at the Vitality Stadium, finishing as the Cherries’ top scorer with 13 goals – more than double his strike partner, Evanilson.

A superb strike in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City last night earned his side their first ever European qualification spot and delivered the Premier League title to Arsenal. It also meant that the France under-21 international, who recently turned down a chance to represent Portugal, is now the top-scoring teenager in Premier League history in their debut season.

But it is not simply his prowess in front of goal which has put Europe’s elite, including United, on red-alert. Rather, it is his all-round play, capable of thriving right across the frontline as a multi-purpose attacking threat, which has truly caught the eye.

The Red Devils are closely monitoring the Lorient native as they hunt for attacking reinforcements ahead of next season’s return to the Champions League. A left-winger and a more reliable No.9 than Joshua Zirkzee to support Benjamin Sesko are both priorities – with Kroupi’s versatility offering a solution in both positions.

Scouts have delivered glowing reports after being dispatched to the south coast to watch the French starlet in action. The player himself is understood to be open to a switch to Old Trafford, though Bournemouth are determined to keep hold of their prized asset this summer.

However, there is also major interest from top sides inside and outside of England, with Sports Boom revealing Liverpool are now ready to “step up their pursuit”.

Liverpool enter the race

The report states the Merseyside club are preparing to make their move as Dutch manager Arne Slot has “personally identified” Kroupi as a priority target.

“Sources indicate the Dutchman has personally identified Kroupi as a player capable of becoming one of the Premier League’s standout attacking stars. Slot has been closely monitoring the youngster’s progress and sees him as a talent with enormous potential and a player who could thrive within Liverpool’s attacking system.”

But Aston Villa are also understood to be “firmly in the picture” as Unai Emery’s side angle to find a potential replacement for Morgan Rogers, who has been strongly linked to United. Were the 23-year-old England international to leave, Villa would suddenly have “both the funds and the need to move decisively in the market.”

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are also believed to be in the race for Kroupi, while there is interest from the continent in the form of Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. The fact that virtually every top side in European football is “scrambling for position” to secure the next outstanding attacker tells you everything you need to know about the Bournemouth wonderkid’s sky-high potential.

Final Thoughts

It would be a masterstroke if INEOS were able to fend off competition to secure Kroupi’s signature this summer. He would offer an enormous upgrade on Zirkzee, while retaining the versatility to play alongside Sesko as much as in the Slovenian’s stead.

But the fact that it will undoubtedly require a club-record fee for Bournemouth to sell the latest red-hot product from their production line means United are unlikely to be able to stump up the funds needed to do so.

However, a report relayed by The Peoples Person</em> claimed INEOS held a “secret transfer meeting” with the Cherries last week, sparking fresh hope a bombshell transfer may be in the works after all.

Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images online polls The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social