Eli Junior Kroupi’s injury blow may force Tottenham Hotspur to rip up their plans for the remaining weeks of the transfer window.
Many sources were convinced that Spurs would submit a mega offer for Kroupi before the new season gets underway, but that no longer appears likely following a big development on Wednesday.
In fact, Tottenham were reportedly readying an £80m+ bid for Kroupi in the next 24 hours before news of his long-term injury broke.
The Tottenham striker target has suffered a foot injury, which is expected to keep him out for the majority of the first half of the season, coming as a big blow to the teenager’s hopes of making a big transfer this summer.
The Lilywhites may now be forced to turn to other alternatives, despite Roberto De Zerbi insisting a few days ago that Spurs will prioritise their top attacking targets.
Bournemouth’s stance on Tottenham target Eli Junior Kroupi has not changed despite injury setback
PA Sport reporter George Sessions has now confirmed that the 19-year-old has undergone foot surgery and is expected to be out for three or four months.
Bournemouth had previously insisted that the Tottenham target is not for sale, and the journalist revealed that the Cherries’ stance has not changed despite the teenager’s latest injury.
Sessions wrote on X: “Highly-rated AFCB forward Junior Kroupi out for three to four months after he underwent foot surgery today Kroupi, linked with THFC, Barca, PSG + others always deemed not for sale by Bournemouth & that has not changed after this issue. Yet a spanner in the works all round.”
Spurs now face a major dilemma following Kroupi’s injury
Given how highly Tottenham appear to rate the France U21 international, one would expect them to reignite their interest in the player again in January or next summer.
However, doing so will mean that Spurs cannot afford to spend big on another number nine this window, especially given that Kroupi could cost £100m.
De Zerbi and Spurs thus face a dilemma over whether to spend big on a striker who may not have been their first choice, or keep their powder dry and go all guns blazing for Kroupi again in January.