Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Join Race for Eli Junior Kroupi as Andoni Iraola Link Emerges
Ben McAleer
Chelsea have been urged to sign Bournemouth teenage striker Eli Junior Kroupi when the transfer window opens this summer, reports The Standard.
Kroupi has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League this season having shone in his opening 12 months in England following his arrival from Lorient.
The 19-year-old bagged his 11th league goal of the 2025-26 campaign in the Cherries’ 2-2 draw with Leeds last week.
Premier League sides monitoring teenage hitman
And his performances on the south coast haven’t gone unnoticed with a host of the Premier League’s big hitters eyeing a move for the French forward.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Kroupi, while Premier League leaders Arsenal are also monitoring the forward’s situation.
Chelsea have now supposedly entered the race to sign Kroupi in a move that would appease current Cherries boss Andoni Iraola.
Iraola linked with Stamford Bridge hotseat
Iraola will leave the Vitality Stadium this summer, and the Spaniard won’t be short of suitors, with Crystal Palace and La Liga giants Athletic Club both keen to hire the 43-year-old.
The Blues, who will see out the season with Calum McFarlane in charge following Liam Rosenior’s dismissal last week, are also weighing up whether to approach Iraola to take over the Stamford Bridge reins.
The west London side could sweeten the deal to land Iraola with a move to sign Kroupi after the Bournemouth boss dubbed the forward a “special” talent recently.
'Very good talent'
It’s a move that would make sense according to former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, who told Snabbare: “Eli Junior Kroupi to Chelsea? He's a very good talent.
“He did very well last season (at Lorient), one of the top players in France, and I'm very happy to see him doing well this season as well.
“Again, I believe he needs to confirm it for one more season, at least in the Premier League. They're looking to get game time and the confidence that comes from that.
“He might not get it at a top club if he jumps too early. So, I think he came to the Premier League to develop himself, to challenge himself, and he needs to keep doing that.”
Chelsea signings set for summer exit
Chelsea are expected to bolster their frontline in the summer despite spending big to bring in the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho last year.
The latter pair have, however, failed to impress in the capital and have been linked with a move away from the club less than 12 months after joining from Ipswich and Manchester United, respectively.
