Tottenham told to offer 'golden contract' to finalise Eli Junior Kroupi deal
Tottenham Hotspur will have to offer Eli Junior Kroupi a 'golden contract' if they are to have any chance of signing him this summer.
That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, exclusively speaking to Football Insider.
The 20-year-old only joined Bournemouth last summer but exploded on the Premier League scene, scoring 13 league goals in his opening season.
Tottenham are reportedly preparing an £85million bid for Kroupi, who is under contract at the Vitality Stadium until 2030.
The Cherries insist that he is not available this summer but interest remains, and the Lilywhites are not alone.
Bryan King: Tottenham have 'no chance' of signing Eli Junior Kroupi
Just last season, Kroupi was plying his trade in the second tier of France as a breakthrough talent for Lorient.
The 2023-24 season had seen him feature regularly in Ligue 1 as a substitute, netting five goals, but relegation would see him explode.
The France youth international scored 22 goals in 30 Ligue 2 appearances and attracted interest across Europe, but Bournemouth's multi-club ownership saw them get the jump and sign him for just £12m.
Eighteen months later, and Kroupi has emerged among the most exciting young strikers on the continent.
Tottenham have eyed an ambitious move to sign him, but they will have to pay well over the odds. "If Paris Saint-Germain are interested, they've got no chance," King told Football Insider.
"If that's serious, Paris Saint-Germain, then Tottenham have got no chance. He's French. He's 20. They're talking silly money here for a 20-year-old, £85m.
"That's the sort of money that Paris Saint-Germain would spend. They're champions. They won the Champions League. He speaks the lingo.
"So, I would find it very difficult for him to say no to Paris Saint-Germain if that's serious and join Tottenham. He's an exciting young player.
"He can play in a wide position and he is an exciting player. But if it's going to be a choice, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham. The only way that Spurs could do it is by offering him a golden contract."
What Kroupi has said on his future
For Kroupi, there is no rush to leave Bournemouth. The Cherries qualified for the Europa League last season and represent a great place for his development.
A move to PSG would undoubtedly place his playing time under threat, and right now, Tottenham are undoubtedly a less stable destination.
Speaking in June, he said: "The next destination? For now, I’m happy at Bournemouth. We’re playing in Europe next season, we’re going to prepare for that. It’s going to be great."
A big-money move for Kroupi may change that attitude, however, and Tottenham have already flexed their financial muscles this summer.