Overview
- Reports on Saturday say sporting director Deco has put 20-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi back on Barcelona’s shortlist after Atlético Madrid refused to negotiate for Julián Álvarez.
- AFC Bournemouth have publicly declared Kroupi non-transferable and their head of football operations, Tiago Pinto, said the club would not sell him even for a reported €100 million fee.
- Kroupi rose to prominence after joining from Lorient for about €13 million and scoring 13 Premier League goals in 35 appearances, which has drawn interest from several top European clubs.
- Kroupi’s agent, Moussa Sissoko, has denied any active talks with Barcelona, and club president Joan Laporta has signalled Barcelona may move on if the Álvarez situation is unresolved by the end of the month.
- No negotiations or agreement have been confirmed and the case remains unsettled, so if Bournemouth and Atlético hold firm Barcelona risks starting the season without a new, proven centre‑forward.