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Liverpool<\/a> are in battle with Chelsea<\/a> over a deal to sign Bournemouth centre-forward Eli Junior Kroupi next summer, according to CaughtOffside<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Having come through the ranks at Lorient\u2019s youth system, Kroupi made his senior debut on the final day of the 2022\/23 Ligue 1 campaign. At just 16 years and 345 days, he broke Matteo Guendouzi\u2019s long-standing record to become the youngest player in the club\u2019s history, coming on for the last seven minutes of a 2\u20131 win against Strasbourg.<\/p>\n During the 2023\/24 season, he surpassed Andre Ayew\u2019s record as Lorient\u2019s youngest-ever goalscorer, finding the net in a 5\u20133 loss to Nantes in September 2023. Shortly after, he scored twice in a 3\u20133 draw with Lyon, becoming the youngest player since 1974 to register a brace in Ligue 1.<\/p>\n Those displays in France attracted interest from several sides before Bournemouth secured his signing. This season, the 19-year-old has scored 10 Premier League<\/a> goals, including the opener in the 2-1 win over Arsenal<\/a>, becoming the youngest player to hit double figures in a debut Premier League season since Robbie Keane (12) for Coventry City in 1999-00.<\/p>\n Now, according to CaughtOffside<\/em>, Kroupl is set to become Bournemouth\u2019s next big sale following Dean Huijsen\u2019s big-money move to Real Madrid<\/a> last summer.<\/p>\n Among the clubs eyeing a move for the youngster are Liverpool and Chelsea, according to the report, which claims both clubs are preparing to launch a summer swoop to sign the 19-year-old.<\/p>\n Sources have revealed to CaughtOffside<\/em> that the Premier League giants have shown a \u2018concrete interest\u2019 in the Frenchman and are set to battle for his signature in the summer.<\/p>\n However, it appears Liverpool are looking to steal a march on Chelsea, as the report adds that the Reds\u2019 director, Richard Hughes, has a good relationship with Bournemouth and will be in contact with his former club to discuss Kroupi\u2019s possible transfer<\/a> to Anfield.<\/p>\n The Blues, on the other hand, have the France U21 star \u2018high up on their list\u2019 of summer targets as part of their youth-driven recruitment model, the report adds.<\/p>\n While the Cherries would ideally like to sell the centre-forward to clubs outside the Premier League amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain, their \u00a355-60m valuation, according to the report, is well within Chelsea\u2019s and Liverpool\u2019s reach, so it\u2019ll be interesting to see who wins the race for his signature.<\/p>\n Both Chelsea and Liverpool are gearing up for Champions League<\/a> football. With Liverpool sitting four points ahead of the Blues, along with Hughes\u2019s close ties with his former club, the Reds are in a more advantageous position to sign Kroupi in the summer.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Rememore](\"https:\/\/football-talk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FootballTalk_New_Chapter-rememore.png\")
<\/a><\/div>\nBattle<\/h2>\n
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