Boost for Arsenal in pursuit of Bournemouth youngster Eli Kroupi as PSG pull out – Reports
By Luke Oluoch, June 5, 2026Arsenal’s pursuit of Eli Junior Kroupi has been boosted with news of European champions Paris Saint-Germain pulling out of the race to sign the teenage attacker.
According to reports, Mikel Arteta could now land the youngster after Paris cooled off interest in the attacker barely a week after edging Arsenal to the UEFA Champions League crown.
Splendid form
Kroupi has been a sensational revelation at the Premier League with the south coast club. He was a top contender for the young player of the season but lost the award to Man City ace Nico O’Reilly in April 2026.
He became the first teenager since Robbie Fowler in the 1993-94 campaign to score 12 goals during a debut Premier League season. He also boasts a remarkable record where he averaged a goal every 121 minutes, with only Erling Haaland boasting a superior strike rate in the division.
A host of Europe’s elite clubs, including Manchester City and FC Barcelona, had also shown interest in the player.
The Gunners have also shown interest in landing Argentina striker Julian Alvarez, 26, from Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, the Spanish club, alongside FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, has expressed interest in signing Spain international and Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.
BBC Sports has ranked Atletico as the leading target, saying the club is set to make an opening offer for the Spain international with Chelsea prepared to sanction a sale if their valuation is met.
Chelsea wants over £60M for the Spaniard.
This comes as the Athletic reports that new Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso has contacted several Chelsea players, including Cucurella, multiple times over the past few weeks.
Alonso wants to keep Cucurella in his squad for next season but is aware of the player’s willingness to explore a move.
The former Liverpool player, Alonso, was announced as the club’s new manager on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed to a four‑year contract at Stamford Bridge.