Louis Saha has sent Tottenham Hotspur a warning about breaking the bank to sign Eli Junior Kroupi.
The Bournemouth striker arrived with a big reputation from France last summer, and he certainly lived up to his billing in his first season in the Premier League, finding the back of the net 13 times last term.
Spurs are one of several big clubs looking to poach Kroupi from the South Coast this summer.
Tottenham insiders have revealed over recent days that Kroupi has signalled a willingness to move to Spurs in the talks that the North London club have held with the player and his camp.
Louis Saha notices one red flag in Tottenham target Eli Junior Kroupi’s Premier League record
Reports indicate that Bournemouth could demand £80m for the 20-year-old, but that may not necessarily put off the Lilywhites, who have spent a combined £185m on Sandro Tonali and Matues Fernandes already this summer.
While Saha was impressed with the performances that Kroupi delivered for the Cherries last summer, he pointed out that the forward struggled to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League, and questioned if it would be wise for the Lilywhites to spend big on him.
Saha told Football.London: “Eli Kroupi Jr has had a phenomenal season for Bournemouth, so I’m not surprised there’s interest from Spurs in him. One of the great things about Kroupi Jr is that he scored 13 Premier League goals when rarely playing 90 minutes. That shows he has got quality, adaptability, and he can clearly impact a game from the bench.
“However, this is what worries me about him if Spurs spend big money on him this summer. You can’t question his talent, but at such a young age, is he going to be able to play every game next season, work hard and manage 90 minutes? That’s what you want from a new big-money striker that comes into the club. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but he had his minutes managed really well by Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth last season.”
Saha says Spurs need a guaranteed goalscorer
The former Tottenham striker insists that Roberto De Zerbi already has versatile strikers of Kroupi’s mould at his disposal.
He urged the North Londoners to spend their money on a proven goalscorer instead, suggesting that the France U21 international is not guaranteed to get 20 goals a season at the highest level.
Saha added: “Spurs have had plenty of attackers of a similar brand to Kroupi Jr over the past few years. Strikers who are quick, versatile, can link up play and score a few goals.
“But what they need now is a striker to come in, gel with their current wingers and new signings who will score 20 or 25 goals in the Premier League next season, and I’m not sure Kroupi Jr is that guy. If he was that player, he’d have made the France squad for the World Cup this summer.”