PSG exit Kroupi race as Arsenal pursue Bournemouth's record-breaking teenager

Paris Saint-Germain are not in the running to sign Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, according to Get French Football News, a development that strengthens Arsenal’s and Chelsea’s positions as the leading suitors for Bournemouth’s breakout striker.

Kroupi, 19, finished his debut Premier League season with 13 goals — enough to break the record for the most goals scored by a teenager in their first top-flight campaign. His form was central to Bournemouth securing European football for the first time in the club’s history, with the Cherries finishing sixth.

Despite that remarkable return, Bournemouth are understood to be reluctant to sell. Incoming head coach Marco Rose, who replaces Andoni Iraola — set to take charge at Liverpool — will be eager to build around Kroupi rather than lose him early in his tenure. The club already parted with Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Antoine Semenyo last season and are braced for further scrutiny over their key assets.

PSG, meanwhile, are directing their attacking recruitment elsewhere. Yan Diomande, the RB Leipzig winger also being tracked by Liverpool, is among the players on their radar as the newly crowned European champions look to reinforce their forward line.

Arsenal’s interest in a striker is driven partly by their Champions League final defeat to PSG, which underlined the need for greater firepower. The Gunners signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon just 12 months ago, but are reportedly open to adding another forward option. Kroupi, a former Lorient academy product, represents one avenue; a more established No 9 could be another.

Arsenal are also pursuing Morgan Rogers to add quality on the left side of their attack. Both Arsenal and PSG have been linked with Julian Alvarez, the Atletico Madrid forward who is also attracting interest from Barcelona, though that deal would represent a significantly different profile and price point to Kroupi.

For Bournemouth, the prospect of offering Kroupi European football next season gives them a credible argument for retention — though whether that is enough to hold off sustained interest from clubs of Arsenal’s stature remains to be seen.