Arsenal forward target Kroupi returns to training ahead of United clash
Arsenal’s pursuit of a new forward could be handed a significant boost this weekend, with reported target Eli Junior Kroupi taking a major step back from injury by returning to full training with Bournemouth.
The 20 year old Frenchman has been strongly linked with Arsenal since last season. According to football.london, the north Londoners were interested in Kroupi as far back as May, even before his goal against Manchester City helped hand Arsenal the title.
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Kroupi scored 13 goals in his debut Premier League campaign and emerged as one of Mikel Arteta’s key summer targets as Arsenal prioritised signing a marquee forward. That pursuit ultimately fell short, with Bournemouth insisting their talisman was not for sale, believing he would benefit from another season on the south coast having secured European football.
A foot injury sustained in pre-season further complicated matters, with the Cherries forward requiring surgery in July. That setback, combined with Bournemouth’s refusal to sell, led Arsenal to shift their focus toward other targets, most notably Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez pursuit falls away
Arsenal held interest in the Atletico Madrid striker right up until deadline day, hoping he would have a change of heart. Alvarez had been vocal about Barcelona being his preferred destination, and after Atletico repeatedly blocked a move there, he chose to stay in the Spanish capital rather than return to England, despite being booed by his own supporters for going on strike.
While Arteta reportedly still rates Alvarez highly, a January move looks increasingly unlikely now that the Argentine has been fully reintegrated into Diego Simeone’s squad. Simeone has praised Alvarez’s application level in recent weeks, a shift that culminated in his first goal of the season.
Kroupi edges closer to full fitness
Arsenal’s need for attacking reinforcement has not gone away. The Gunners have scored fewer goals than any other top four side in the Premier League this season, and there have reportedly been renewed enquiries about Kroupi for a January move.
Kroupi, said to be valued at around £90 to £100million, is under contract at Bournemouth until 2030. Cherries boss Marco Rose confirmed this week that the forward is back in training and could feature against Manchester United this Sunday.
His return to fitness and form would be timed well for any January approach, with Arsenal having held off on a marquee forward signing throughout the summer. Whether that patience translates into a concrete move in the new year is likely to become clearer as the window approaches.
