Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Thu 28 May 2026 7:00, UK

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Chelsea will have to sell multiple players before even thinking about signing Eli Kroupi Junior from Bournemouth this summer.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who is struggling to see the Blues completing a deal for the Cherries’ record-breaking forward.

The 19-year-old notched 13 goals during his opening season in England, surpassing Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane as the highest-scoring teenager in a debut Premier League campaign.

Unsurprisingly, the talented attacker is attracting a lot of potential suitors ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, and Chelsea are one of the clubs interested in the youngster’s services.

Chelsea may have to wait another year for Eli Kroupi Junior deal

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has poured water over a potential Chelsea deal.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness said: “The famous Chelsea have been named again, but I just don’t see Chelsea doing that at the moment. I think they’re going to be stuck to selling rather than buying many this summer.

“I don’t think he’s going to be leaving Bournemouth either now that there’s Champions League at stake as well. I think he’s going to stay for another season, and he’s of an age where another season wouldn’t hurt in terms of his valuation.

“Bournemouth would love to give it a go in Europe. They’ve been a very attractive team to watch, unbeaten since January, it’s incredible, and I think he would want to stay with the squad that’s done so much.

“They’ve obviously knitted together really well, really strongly. While they’re going to be losing their manager still, whoever comes in, I think they’ll be happy to take that squad on and take them forward.

“So I don’t expect him to be going anywhere. Of course, there’s going to be interest in a number of the Bournemouth players, but I just see them hanging on and keeping them together for next year.”

Which other clubs are eyeing the Bournemouth star?

Even if Xabi Alonso were desperate to bring Kroupi to Stamford Bridge this summer, it would be an extremely difficult challenge to persuade him that a move to West London is the best choice.

Unlike Chelsea, the Cherries will be playing Europa League football after going 18 games unbeaten in the second half of the season, so there is an incentive for the player to stay at the Vitality Stadium.

Football Insider does understand, however, that Kroupi is open to joining Man United, and given that the Red Devils have Champions League football, a switch to Old Trafford seems far more likely.

Michael Carrick has done an incredible job, earning the manager role on a permanent basis, and he will be hoping that the hierarchy back him in the market with some big-name transfers this summer.