Bournemouth star Eli Junior Kroupi suffers major injury blow

Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi is expected to remain at the Vitality Stadium this summer after suffering a fractured metatarsal that will keep him out for up to four months.

The highly-rated French forward had attracted interest from Arsenal and Tottenham following an outstanding breakthrough Premier League campaign, but FootballPlace understands any possibility of a transfer has now disappeared.

Kroupi recently underwent surgery after sustaining the injury during Bournemouth's pre-season training camp in Austria.

FootballPlace understands the 20-year-old flew back to England after suffering the injury before undergoing a successful operation earlier this week.

He is now expected to spend up to four months on the sidelines.

The setback effectively ends speculation over a summer transfer, with interested clubs now expected to focus on alternative attacking targets.

Despite significant interest from across Europe, Bournemouth maintained throughout the summer that Kroupi was not available for transfer.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona had all monitored the striker after he scored 13 Premier League goals during an impressive debut campaign.

However, Bournemouth had no intention of cashing in on one of their brightest young talents, regardless of the injury.

Kroupi's absence is a major setback for Bournemouth as they prepare for their first-ever European season after qualifying for the Europa League.

The Cherries have already added attacking cover by signing Álvaro Rodríguez from Elche, but replacing last season's leading scorer will be a significant challenge.

New management will now have to begin the campaign without one of the club's most influential attacking players.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham had considered Kroupi among their attacking options this summer.

With the striker now facing a lengthy spell in recovery, both clubs are expected to turn their attention elsewhere before the transfer deadline.

Kroupi's injury removes one of the summer's most exciting young transfer targets from the market. Bournemouth never intended to sell the Frenchman, and his recovery will now become the club's priority ahead of a historic European campaign.

Kroupi will begin his rehabilitation programme while Bournemouth prepare for the new campaign, with the club hoping their star forward can return before the end of 2026.