As Tottenham Hotspur step up their pursuit of Eli Junior Kroupi, we take a look at the shirt number that the Frenchman could wear in North London next season if the Lilywhites do manage to complete a sensational deal.
It has emerged over recent days that Tottenham are growing in belief that they can win the race for Kroupi on the back of his brilliant debut season in the Premier League.
Spurs’ confidence stems from the 20-year-old forward being reluctant to join Paris Saint-Germain, who are now expected to prioritise a move for Barcelona’s Ferran Torres instead.
Kroupi’s agent has refused to confirm that his client will stay at Bournemouth, admitting that discussions are being held over his future and a final decision is yet to be reached.
Eli Junior Kroupi could wear Tottenham number vacated by Brennan Johnson
The Cherries star may not have a host of numbers to choose from this summer if he does make the switch to North London this summer.
Among the starting eleven numbers, only number 2 and 5 are vacant at Tottenham Hotspur, and those numbers are not usually preferred by forwards.
Kroupi has already worn several different numbers in his brief career at senior level. The 20-year-old has worn numbers 9, 22, 23, 33, 30 and 18 over the last few years.
The only number he has repeated so far in his career is 22, having worn it at Lorient and now at Bournemouth. 22 is currently available at Tottenham, having been last worn by Brennan Johnson prior to his switch to Crystal Palace in January.
Kroupi could get a trademark number at Spurs
Reports continue to suggest that Tottenham are ready to cash in on Richarlison this summer, with the Brazilian attracting plenty of transfer interest.
In the event of the former Everton man’s departure, Spurs could decide to hand the iconic number nine shirt to Kroupi if they do make the Bournemouth man their marquee forward signing.
The other big number available at Tottenham is 12, which has been free since Emerson Royal departed the club back in 2024.
- READ MORE: ‘What is wrong with us?’ – Tottenham fans react to Fabrizio Romano’s left wing revelation