PARIS. Paris Saint Germain have cooled their interest in Eli Junior Kroupi after Bournemouth slapped a €100 million (£86 million) asking price on the 20 year old forward, with the French champions unwilling to meet the Premier League club’s valuation .
The France Under 21 international has made it clear to his inner circle that a return to his homeland, specifically to the Parc des Princes, represents his absolute priority following a spectacular breakthrough campaign on the south coast . Kroupi registered 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for the Cherries, converting 28 per cent of his total shots to establish himself as one of European football’s most lethal young finishers .
Yet Bournemouth, who secured a historic sixth place finish under departing manager Andoni Iraola, are digging their heels in. The Cherries want a substantial package before they will consider parting with their starlet, a figure that prompted PSG’s recruitment team to blink .
Parisian decision makers instantly cooled their interest when those numbers landed on the table. The French champions simply refuse to pay such a premium despite their considerable financial resources . Still, the door has not been entirely closed; if Bournemouth lower their expectations later in the window, PSG are expected to re engage immediately .
The club’s recruitment department is spinning multiple plates, tracking several attacking targets simultaneously. Insiders maintain that the Kroupi pursuit is entirely separate from their ongoing chase for RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomandé, with the two deals being treated independently .
Big guns circle as valuation dispute stalls deal
Mikel Arteta is watching developments closely, as are Barcelona, with both Arsenal and the Catalan giants monitoring the youngster after his clinical form helped Bournemouth seal European qualification for the first time in the club’s history .
Barcelona have identified Kroupi as one of the most exciting long-term investments available and a preferred alternative to Julian Alvarez should their pursuit of the Atletico Madrid striker prove unsuccessful . Scouting reports from the club’s technical department have been consistently positive, praising the right footed attacker’s technical quality, mobility, intelligent movement and formidable finishing ability .
Despite his exclusion from Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad, with France’s attacking riches including Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, Kroupi is widely expected to earn a senior call up in the near future . He has represented France at every level from Under 16 to Under 21, scoring 19 goals in 29 appearances across the youth ranks .
The forward’s market value has risen dramatically, climbing from around €15 million a year ago to approximately €70 million following his outstanding Premier League campaign . Bournemouth, who signed Kroupi from Lorient in 2025 for an initial £12 million through their multi club structure, are now demanding more than eight times that fee .
Right now, the deal is deadlocked. Whether the English side compromise on their massive asking price will determine the outcome of a transfer saga that has captured the attention of Europe’s elite. Bournemouth, with their prized asset under contract and in no immediate need to sell, hold all the cards .
