Not even Barcelona’s board expected the squad to score goals at the rate they have been going this season, and that is evidenced by their desperation to sign Julian Alvarez in the summer.
After the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the Catalans were desperate to bring in a new number nine to guarantee goals, and the Atletico Madrid striker was the top target.
When it slowly became clear that Los Rojiblancos would not sell the Argentine star, Deco and Co. started looking out for alternatives, and Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth emerged as a frontrunner.
Barcelona even made two bids close to €100 million for the player but both were rejected, and the player eventually suffered a metatarsal fracture that ruled out his move.
Back on the scene
Kroupi is back. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
As reported by SPORT now, Eli Junior Kroupi is now back from his injury and set to start featuring for his club in the new season.
The player has completely recovered from his metatarsal fracture and has been included by Marco Rose in Bournemouth’s squad to take on Manchester United this weekend.
In fact, the manager even confirmed that the player could feature for a few minutes on the night if matters go his team’s way, making it clear that he is well and truly back.
Barcelona remain alert
As reported by the Spanish outlet, Barcelona continue to be alert to Kroupi’s situation and still rate the player very highly.
Barcelona will continue to keep an eye on the player. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The strong start to the new season has indeed reduced the priority of a new striker signing, but the Catalans will continue to keep an eye on him as a potential target for the 2027 transfer window if the need arises.
In that sense, his return from injury comes as a massive milestone from the Catalans’ perspective, and they will keep an eye on his performances right from the coming weekend when he is expected to make his return from injury.
Needless to say, however, the club’s biggest priority will be the central defense which has emerged as a department in urgent need of an elite signing in recent weeks.
Even if a striker is seen as a necessity, the name of Erling Haaland is slowly growing into a realistic option.