“Arsenal have called” – Romano confirms Gunners make contact to sign 13-goal attacker

Arsenal are reportedly showing serious interest in Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi, with Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta both keen on the young French forward.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal and Manchester City have both made calls about Kroupi after his impressive season on the south coast.

Paris Saint-Germain are also among the clubs watching him, which shows how quickly his reputation has grown.

Bournemouth would love to keep him, but the interest around the 19-year-old is becoming difficult to ignore.

Kroupi has been one of the breakout stars of the Premier League season.

He scored 13 goals in his debut campaign for Bournemouth, becoming the first teenager to reach that figure in a first Premier League season.

Bournemouth have no desire to let Kroupi leave

Bournemouth also enjoyed a brilliant year under Andoni Iraola, finishing sixth and qualifying for the Europa League, which makes their desire to keep him very understandable.

Romano said about Kroupi on his YouTube channel:

“And then guys, the big gem on the market, Kroupi the striker from Bournemouth because Bournemouth would like and love to keep the player, but around Kroupi, after the fantastic season, Eli Junior Kroupi had at Bournemouth, a fantastic season in terms of numbers, of goals, of quality.

“Several, but several top clubs have started calling.

“In Premier League, the Premier League giants.

“I can tell you for sure Arsenal have called, Manchester City have called, and more clubs are interested.”

For Arsenal, this kind of target makes a lot of sense. Arteta’s side have just won the Premier League, but they still need more attacking depth if they want to keep competing across England and Europe.

Arsenal are targeting move for a new attacker

Arsenal have Kroupi among their forward targets, with a new attacker seen as a priority for the summer.

Kroupi is not just a pure No.9. He is mobile, sharp around the box and clever with his movement.

That makes him attractive to Arsenal because Arteta likes forwards who can press, combine and play with intelligence rather than just wait for chances.

Man City’s interest is also no surprise. They always monitor elite young attackers, and Kroupi’s goal against City in May, which helped Bournemouth hold them to a 1-1 draw and confirmed Arsenal as champions, probably made even more people notice him.

Kroupi would be a very exciting signing for Arsenal, but they need to be careful. He is only 19, and one strong season should not automatically turn him into a guaranteed superstar.