Barcelona's Shocking New Target! French Youngster Eli Junior Kroupi in the Frame

Barcelona has taken its first steps towards signing Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi, according to journalist Adrian Sanchez.

The Catalan club remains actively on the hunt for a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, working hard to strengthen their attack during the summer transfer window.

With efforts to sign Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez growing increasingly complicated, Barcelona's management has started looking into alternative options.

One name gaining serious attention from sporting director Deco and coach Hans-Dieter Flick is 19-year-old French prospect Eli Junior Kroupi.

Kroupi is seen as one of Europe's most promising young strikers, attracting interest from several top Premier League and other major continental clubs.

Last season, the youngster scored 13 goals for Bournemouth, cementing his reputation as a standout talent among young forwards.

However, a move won't be straightforward. The English club values Kroupi at around 100 million euros, a fee that poses a significant obstacle for Barcelona given their financial constraints.

Barcelona continues to explore different options to bolster their attack, with their primary focus still on bringing in a centre-forward capable of filling Lewandowski's role for the long term.

Still, Kroupi now stands out as one of the most serious backup options if Barcelona fails to land one of their main targets this summer.