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Bournemouth set £100m asking price as Europe circles Kroupi

·By Junior Yekini
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Bournemouth are ready to demand £100million for teenage forward Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona all in pursuit of the Frenchman.

The 19-year-old arrived at the Vitality Stadium from fellow Black Knight-owned club Lorient in a deal worth around £11million, initially on loan before completing a permanent transfer last summer.

The Times reported the breadth of interest this week. All four of England's leading clubs - Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United - have been tracking Kroupi, with Barcelona also said to have extensively monitored him throughout the season. Ligue 1 sides have spoken to his representatives about a return to France.

Kroupi has scored 12 Premier League goals from 30 appearances in his debut top-flight season, becoming the first teenager to reach that tally in their first Premier League campaign.

Bournemouth captain Marcus Tavernier did not mince his words when speaking to Sky Sports after a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.

"It's been unbelievable, they are two world-class talents. I don't think they will be at Bournemouth for a long period of time given the quality they have got."

Tavernier was referring to Kroupi and fellow 19-year-old forward Rayan, who also scored in the Crystal Palace victory.

Bournemouth have no intention of selling this summer and are pushing for an improved contract despite Kroupi's current deal running to 2030. He has no release clause, giving the Cherries full control of any negotiation.

Initial valuations of upwards of £80million have circulated, with the club internally viewing him as a nine-figure asset. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has been personally attentive after Kroupi scored home and away against the Gunners this season.

Kroupi scored 22 goals in 30 Ligue 2 games for Lorient the season before joining Bournemouth. This is not a one-season story.