Exclusive: Chelsea & Tottenham in late race to sign Eli Junior Kroupi
Chelsea and Tottenham are plotting moves for French wonderkid Eli Junior Kroupi as they look to bolster their attacking options, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League pair are keen to strengthen their attacks before the close of the transfer window and Lorient ace Kroupi features highly on their wanted list.
The 18-year-old is enjoying a stand-out season in Ligue 2 with Lorient, having scored nine goals and provided two assists in 18 games this season to spearhead their promotion bid.
Kroupi is considered one of the best young talents in France after breaking into the Lorient side in Ligue 1 at just 16.
A host of Europe’s top clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and RB Leipzig have all been credited with an interest in the teenager, but Chelsea and Spurs are ready to try and lure the attacking sensation to England.
Kroupi fits the profile for Chelsea and Spurs, with both clubs searching for the best young talent in the market.
The attacker is seen by recruitment chiefs as a player with huge potential to develop into a world-class forward.
Chelsea and Tottenham rival Real Madrid and Barcelona for French wonderkid
The France Under-19 international is into the final 18 months of his contract at Lorient and the Brittany club are aware of the growing interest in the teenage talent.
Kroupi is valued by the Ligue 2 promotion hopefuls at around the £30million mark ahead of the close of the transfer window next week (3 February).
He has hit 14 goals and notched five assists across 50 appearances in all competitions for Lorient since emerging from the club’s academy.
Chelsea have established themselves as one of the leading destinations for young talent following a raft of big-money deals since the Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly takeover.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have also had success with swoops for the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray – who both joined last summer (2024).
In other news, Bournemouth’s response to “Chelsea interest in Dean Huijsen” revealed.
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