Arsenal target Bournemouth star in summer deal as attacking transfer plan begins

Arsenal have set their sights on Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, according to football.london . The France under-21s international, who can also operate as a second striker, has had an outstanding campaign for the Cherries, attracting attention from numerous top clubs, the Gunners among them. Arsenal forwards Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are all facing uncertain futures, with a summer departure a genuine possibility for all three. Ethan Nwaneri, football.london understands, is another attacking talent now generating considerable interest. Clubs, both domestically and across Europe, are keen. Borussia Dortmund are keeping up their pursuit of the player from last summer. With several attacking players potentially heading for the exit, Arsenal are exploring several offensive additions, particularly on the left-hand side and in attacking midfield. There is also a strong focus on targeting younger players with considerable potential and the capacity to deliver immediate quality and impact. Kroupi fits this profile perfectly, having netted 11 Premier League goals in 29 appearances this season, including strikes against Arsenal both home and away. Kroupi boasts impressive technical quality alongside the physical strength most associated with successful forwards in the English top flight. He is adept at holding off defenders before beating his opponent and fashioning a goalscoring opportunity. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page Creativity remains an aspect requiring development. Kroupi has zero assists to his name so far and is ranking in the lower percentiles for chances created amongst Premier League strikers. Yet at just 19 years of age, there is considerable room for growth. Arsenal have earmarked the player as a potential target for the club. However, Bournemouth are likely to demand a substantial sum, as they have previously when moving on several other players. They face no urgency to sell, with Kroupi's deal running until 2030. Any transfer could make him one of, if not the most costly centre-forwards the club has ever acquired, should they opt to follow through. That would mean surpassing the £56million spent on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018, or potentially the £65million forked out for Kai Havertz in 2023. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.