Liverpool expected to use Richard Hughes phonebook to land Eli Junior Kroupi

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to be "on the phone" to former side Bournemouth in order to tempt Eli Junior Kroupi away, reports Caught Offside.

Kroupi is becoming one of the most highly sought-after attackers in the Premier League. He reached 10 goals in his debut season with a goal in a shock victory over leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

The report suggests that performance might have increased the interest in Kroupi from across the league, and that could well continue into the summer.

The hot property at Bournemouth now has Liverpool and Chelsea hot on his heels.

A source reportedly told the outlet: "Liverpool and Chelsea have a very concrete interest, they’re both really keen to make a deal happen this summer and are looking into it."

Meanwhile, another said: "I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool have already had some conversations. Richard Hughes has a good relationship with his former club and will be on the phone to his counterparts there after that performance yesterday."

Indeed, Hughes spent 10 years as technical director for the South coast club, ending in 2024 when he moved to Anfield.

There, he facilitated a move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez last summer, proving his connections with the Cherries remain strong.

As such, with a number of Premier League clubs on the tail of Kroupi, Liverpool could be helped to be positioned at the top of the pile by Hughes.

The report also suggests that other names are expected to crop up in pursuit of the 19-year-old French winger, who's currently valued at £55-60million.

Liverpool must replace Salah

That is probably on the low end of what Liverpool might have to pay for some other potential Mohamed Salah replacements.

Indeed, the Egyptian superstar will be departing Anfield in the summer, taking with him 256 goals and 122 assists in a red shirt.

Kroupi might not yet be the well-rounded superstar that Salah is, but there's a sense that if he continues on his current path, he could reach that status.

The Frenchman is also outscoring Salah in the Premier League this season, 10 to six, so in the immediate future, there could actually be a rise in production, and if Kroupi can begin to get near some of the Liverpool legend's best seasons, the Reds will be in good hands for years to come.