Sport reported Sunday that Barcelona have Kroupi near the top of their planning as they look to build a long-term striking option beyond Robert Lewandowski. The Catalan outlet went further, stating that Kroupi has never hidden his admiration for the club and "wants to play for Barcelona and dreams of signing there."
Sky Sports have since confirmed the interest independently, describing Barcelona as having "extensively tracked" the forward throughout the season.
Kroupi joined Bournemouth from fellow Black Knight-owned club Lorient for around €13million in a deal that initially included a loan back to the French club before he arrived on the south coast full-time. He has since scored 12 goals in 32 Premier League appearances in his debut English campaign — a goal every 134 minutes — and became the joint-third teenager in Premier League history to reach that tally in a debut season alongside Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane.
His contract runs until June 2030 with no release clause, giving Bournemouth complete control. The club are not entertaining offers this summer regardless of who comes calling. Discussions about an improved deal are expected, with incoming head coach Marco Rose already being briefed on the importance of keeping Kroupi as the foundation of their next chapter.
Barcelona face formidable competition. Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United have all been monitoring him. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly been personally attentive since Kroupi scored home and away against the Gunners this season.
The club's priority remains Julián Álvarez, but his potential €100million-plus price tag has forced Barcelona to map out cheaper alternatives — and Kroupi, with his contract situation and Bournemouth's theoretical selling price of around €70million, represents a more manageable option in the long run.
Kroupi has five France Under-21 appearances and three goals at that level. Some within the French media are calling for his inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti's senior squad for the World Cup as cover for the injured Hugo Ekitike — a measure of how quickly his reputation has grown.
Bournemouth's position is clear. The conversation about whether Kroupi eventually gets to live out his Barcelona dream will happen — just not this summer.