Barcelona have revived their interest in Bournemouth forward Illia Junior Kroupi as they search for a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, but the Premier League club are insisting the French youngster is not for sale this summer.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has put the 20-year-old back on the club’s shortlist after progress on a deal for Argentina striker Julian Alvarez broke down, according to Catalan newspaper Sport.
Barcelona had identified Alvarez as a priority attacking target, but Atletico Madrid are refusing to enter talks over a transfer in the current window, prompting the Spanish club to reassess their options in the market.
Kroupi, a France Under-21 international, is viewed at Camp Nou as a potential future centre-forward who could eventually take over from 35-year-old Lewandowski, whose contract and age mean Barcelona are planning for a gradual transition in attack.
Breakthrough Premier League season
Kroupi enjoyed an outstanding first campaign in the Premier League after joining Bournemouth from Lorient for €13m.
In his debut season in England, the forward scored 13 goals in 35 league appearances, a return that has drawn serious interest from several of Europe’s leading clubs.
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester City have all been monitoring his progress, with his age, versatility in the final third and impact in one of Europe’s strongest leagues marking him out as one of the most highly rated young attackers on the continent.
Barcelona, who remain constrained by financial limitations and strict La Liga spending rules, see Kroupi as a high-upside target who could be part of their frontline for years to come if a deal can be struck.
Bournemouth stance blocks Barcelona
Any move, however, is currently being blocked by Bournemouth’s firm position on the player’s future.
Tiago Pinto, the club’s president of football operations, has made clear that Kroupi is considered a central figure in Bournemouth’s sporting project and is not available in this transfer window.
Pinto has been quoted as saying Bournemouth will not sell the forward this summer “even if the offer is €100m”, underlining the club’s determination to keep hold of one of their key assets.
Bournemouth’s strong stance is shaped by their recent on-field progress. Under head coach Andoni Iraola, the club finished sixth in the Premier League last season, securing European qualification for the first time in their history.
That achievement has elevated expectations at the Vitality Stadium and made retaining leading players a priority as Bournemouth prepare for the additional demands of continental competition.
Agent denies talks as Barca test the waters
Kroupi’s representative, Moussa Sissoko, said only a few days ago that there were no negotiations under way with Barcelona regarding his client.
Despite that public denial, Barcelona are still attempting to clarify whether Bournemouth’s opposition to a sale is absolute, and whether the player himself might be open to a move.
The Spanish club are expected to make at least one more effort to gauge the willingness of both Bournemouth and Kroupi’s camp to engage in discussions, even though all indications for now point to the English side holding their ground.
With Alvarez currently out of reach due to Atletico Madrid’s refusal to negotiate, Barcelona’s pursuit of a new forward heads into the final weeks of the window with Kroupi emerging as a surprise Premier League option – but one who may prove extremely difficult to prise away.
