(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Fri 29 May 2026 7:30, UK

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Arsenal and Chelsea are both set to find it “difficult” to sign AFC Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Cherries are adamant that they do not want to sell the 19-year-old ahead of next season, even if potential offers were to reach as high as the £100million mark.

Incoming boss Marco Rose is keen to build his team around the starlet, and sources have indicated that the club are doing “everything they can” to keep hold of him for another year.

However, there is also an acceptance at the Vitality Stadium that Kroupi’s departure will be “inevitable” in the coming years, as interest in already growing in him from the likes of Barcelona and PSG.

Arsenal’s transfer plans are set to see them strengthen their hand once again this summer, and they are ready to continue to keep tabs on the starlet’s progress with the view to a move later down the line.

Eli Junior Kroupi lined up to be Bournemouth’s next huge sale

Bournemouth have gained a strong reputation for producing some excellent transfer business in recent years, and they appear to have identified another remarkable talent in Kroupi.

The former Lorient starlet netted 13 goals for the Cherries in 2025-26, a tally which broke the record as the highest total ever by a teenager in their debut Premier League campaign.

Bournemouth’s qualification for the Europa League next term has provided them with even more incentive to keep hold of the Frenchman, while another year of strong performances could see his value skyrocket.

The South Coast outfit have made eye-watering money from sales of the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Ilya Zabarnyi in recent years, and they are already planning for Kroupi to be their next major outgoing.

Arsenal and Chelsea are both candidates to step in and take the forward off their hands, but they will have to bide their time if they want to get hold of the youngster long-term.

It is clear that Kroupi is destined to play at the top of European football at some stage in his career, and the Premier Leagie’s elite will be on alert for him n the coming years.

Arsenal set to lose defender as offer submitted

Football Insider revealed on Thursday that Arsenal defender Josh Nichols could leave the club on a free transfer this summer, with interest building in the 19-year-old academy starlet.

French Ligue 2 side Annecy are keen to offer the right-back a contract, while an unnamed Croatian club have already tabled an offer to him and his entourage.

Nichols is currently “exploring his options” regarding his next move, with seemingly no chance of a new contract being put on the table to keep him at the Emirates Stadium.

He is heading towards a departure from North London as a free agent, having made just one senior appearance for the club, which came in a Carabao Cup win over Bolton back in 2024.