Barcelona centre-forward target out for 3-4 months with pre-season injury | OneFootball

FC Barcelona’s search for a new centre-forward has suffered an unexpected setback after Eli Junior Kroupi, one of the club’s leading alternative targets, was ruled out for up to four months with injury.

According to The Athletic, the Bournemouth striker underwent surgery on Wednesday after suffering a fracture to the fifth metatarsal during the club’s pre-season training camp in Austria.

The injury is the same one that sidelined Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez towards the end of last season, just before the World Cup.

Kroupi is expected to be unavailable for between three and four months and is unlikely to return before late October or November, depending on the progress of his recovery.

Major blow for the youngster

The injury is a significant setback for both Bournemouth and the 20-year-old forward, who had emerged as one of the Premier League’s most promising young attackers.

During his first full season with the south coast club, Kroupi scored 13 league goals, including five in the final eight matches of the campaign.

He finished as Bournemouth’s leading scorer under Andoni Iraola and played a key role in securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

His performances also attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Barcelona.

Impact on Barcelona’s plans?

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate, arriving just as speculation surrounding Kroupi’s future had intensified.

Barcelona have long viewed the France Under-21 international as one of their preferred alternatives should a move for Julián Álvarez fail to materialise.

In fact, reports claimed that Barcelona had submitted two offers for the striker, both of which were rejected by Bournemouth.

Barcelona saw Kroupi as their Plan B behind Julian Alvarez. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)

The Premier League club have consistently maintained that they have no intention of selling one of their brightest young talents.

Barcelona’s sporting department have been impressed by Kroupi’s age, potential and ability to operate as a central striker, qualities that fit Hansi Flick’s long-term plans for the team.

However, his lengthy absence could force the Catalan club to reconsider their transfer strategy.

Should the pursuit of Julian Alvarez ultimately come to an end without success, Kroupi had been regarded as one of the strongest candidates to lead Barcelona’s attack next season.

His injury now casts doubt over whether the club will continue to pursue that option or turn their attention elsewhere before the transfer window closes.