Arsenal could face even greater competition in the race to sign Eli Junior Kroupi after Barcelona made an enquiry for the Bournemouth forward.
Kroupi, 19, has emerged as one of Arsenal’s top summer targets after an impressive first season in the Premier League.
Signed from French side Lorient last summer for £10m, Kroupi quickly established himself as one of Andoni Iraola’s most important players, scoring 13 goals in the Premier League.
Arsenal are interested in Kroupi as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking options following a season in which they lacked creative spark despite winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004 and reaching the Champions League final.
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The Gunners are believed to be open to offers for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, meaning there could be room for Kroupi to arrive at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are not alone in showing interest in the France U21 international, however, with PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City all also believed to be eyeing summer moves.
Spanish outlet SPORT say Barcelona have also expressed interest in Kroupi as they search for Robert Lewandowski’s replacement at the Nou Camp.
Julian Alvarez remains Barca’s first-choice target but Atletico Madrid appear determined to keep hold of the Argentina striker, who has also been linked with Arsenal.
As a result Barcelona have begun to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements and made an enquiry for Kroupi.
It is claimed the Bournemouth star is ‘very liked’ by bosses at the Nou Camp, who were considering a move next summer but could bring their plans forward given the interest from elsewhere.
Barca have followed the teenage ‘closely’ and believe Kroupi could be open to a move to the Spanish champions, although they have reservations about his likely price tag.
Bournemouth have reportedly indicated they would want 100m euros (£86m) to part ways with one of the most exciting players in the Premier League.
Barcelona are said to have ‘doubts’ over that figure but believe there could be the possibly of using some unwanted stars in a player-plus-cash swap deal.
The La Liga champions are also aware of rival interest from Arsenal and PSG, who could launch a move for Kroupi as Bradley Barcola pushes for a summer move.
For now, Barcelona appear ready to wait to see if Atletico’s stance on Alvarez softens, having previously been rebuffed by Chelsea for Brazil’s Joao Pedro.
Speaking last week, Ray Parlour urged his former club Arsenal to win the race for Kroupi, insisting he would be a ‘very good signing’ for Arteta’s side.
”Kroupi’s a very good, talented player, there’s no doubt about that,’ Parlour told The Mirror.
‘He’s a young player, and you know Mikel Arteta can make players even better when they’re young, so that would be a good signing.’
Arsenal’s other summer targets include England star Morgan Rogers and Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Meanwhile, the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and Christian Norgaard could all follow Martinelli and Trossard out the club.
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