La Liga giants Barcelona have made the call to pull the plug on efforts to bring Bournemouth sensation Eli Junior Kroupi to the club this summer.
This comes after the Blaugrana’s approach was met with a less-than-positive response on the part of the brass at the Vitality Stadium.
The name of frontman Kroupi had emerged as an altogether prominent one in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital over recent days. Amid an ongoing search for a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, Deco and co. were widely rumoured to have turned focus towards the 20-year-old, amid difficulties in landing no.1 target Julián Alvarez.
Kroupi is fresh off a breakout campaign on the books of the aforementioned Bournemouth, giving rise to 13 Premier League goals.
Just as quickly as the speculation emerged, however, it has in turn been put to bed. As per a report from transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday:
‘Barcelona are not proceeding in talks to sign Eli Junior Kroupi at this stage. Understand Barça will not advance on this option at present and Bournemouth informed clubs about clear stance: no intention to sell this summer.’
Conor Laird – GSFN
