Barcelona face Arsenal and Manchester United competition for 20-year-old French forward – report

Barcelona face Arsenal and Manchester United competition for 20-year-old French forward – report Barcelona could face a growing challenge in their pursuit of Eli Junior Kroupi, with Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly joining Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the Bournemouth forward ahead of the January transfer window.  The 20-year-old has attracted renewed attention following his return from a foot injury, although Bournemouth are determined to retain him at least for the remainder of the season. According to Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk , Arsenal and Manchester United have made enquiries to establish Kroupi’s physical condition and contractual situation.  At the same time, Barcelona, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also maintained an interest in the Frenchman, while Tottenham remain involved after pursuing him during the previous summer transfer window. However, the competition for his signature does not necessarily mean Bournemouth will entertain offers, as sources close to the Premier League club report that the Cherries have no intention of negotiating his departure in January. Barcelona have tracked Kroupi since his breakthrough Barcelona’s interest in Kroupi developed during the previous summer transfer window, when the club were examining different possibilities to strengthen their centre-forward position. As such, the Bournemouth attacker emerged as one of the alternatives considered by the Catalan sporting department.  Eli Junior Kroupi is also on Arsenal and Manchester United’s radar. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) Julian Alvarez was a major target, but Kroupi also attracted attention after establishing himself in English football. There were understandable reasons for that interest, as Kroupi scored 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances during the 2025-26 campaign, an impressive return for a young forward experiencing his first full season in the competition.  Arsenal and Manchester United increase competition Kroupi’s prospects of attracting a summer transfer were interrupted by a fractured fifth metatarsal sustained during Bournemouth’s pre-season training camp in Austria.  He underwent surgery in July, with the injury sidelining him for several months. That setback prevented interested clubs from assessing his availability through competitive performances at the beginning of the new campaign.  His return finally came on October 25, when he appeared as a substitute in Bournemouth’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.  Barcelona continue to monitor the Bournemouth forward. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) He subsequently received another brief outing against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup. Following these developments, the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United launched enquiries.  The two clubs are understood to be assessing his situation, but there is no established evidence of formal bids or negotiations involving either side. Bournemouth’s January stance creates a major obstacle Despite the growing interest, Bournemouth are not expected to make Kroupi available during the winter transfer window because the 20-year-old French forward remains an important part of their plans for the remainder of the campaign.  Simply put, unless Bournemouth reconsider their position, January is unlikely to provide Barcelona with an easy opportunity to secure his services.  Furthermore, even in the case of a 2027 summer transfer, it may prove difficult because his performances have raised the number of suitors.