Transfer news, Barcelona explore Eli Junior Kroupi as a contingency option while Atlético Madrid hold firm on Julián Álvarez

A Fallback Plan Takes Shape

Barcelona have sounded out the possibility of signing Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi as a contingency option should their pursuit of Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid ultimately fail, according to sources cited by ESPN. The La Liga champions made an opening bid of 100 million euros for Álvarez, which was rejected outright by Atlético, with club president Joan Laporta confirming the offer would not remain open indefinitely as Barcelona wait for a response that has not yet come.

With Álvarez's situation unresolved and Barcelona's self-imposed July 31 deadline rapidly approaching, sporting director Deco has placed Kroupi back on the club's shortlist, having monitored the French striker since his days at Lorient, where he finished as the top scorer in Ligue 2 before committing to the club even after their relegation. Kroupi made the move to Bournemouth and went on to score 13 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season, earning broad recognition as one of European football's most promising young strikers.

Bournemouth's Position is Firm

The obstacle facing Barcelona is significant. Bournemouth chief Tiago Pinto has stated publicly that Kroupi will not be leaving the club this summer under any circumstances, pointing to a contract running until 2030 with no release clause as the foundation of their position. Pinto went further, saying the club would not entertain offers even if they reached 100 million euros. The south-coast club are preparing to offer Kroupi improved terms to ward off the interest rather than risk losing their most prized asset while simultaneously managing their first season of European football.

Barcelona are also said to have explored a move for Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, who similarly declined the approach. With Chelsea's João Pedro also confirmed as unavailable, Barcelona's contingency options for the striker position are narrowing by the day, increasing the pressure to find a resolution on the Álvarez front before Laporta's deadline passes.

A Player Who Wants Barcelona

The one factor that could yet change the equation is Kroupi's own reported desire to make the move. Sources in Spain have indicated the 20-year-old has made clear his preference for a move to the Camp Nou, with photos of a young Kroupi in Barcelona kit having circulated widely as evidence of a long-held connection to the club. That personal preference puts Bournemouth under indirect pressure to at least consider their position, even as the club's hierarchy maintains that no offer will be accepted regardless of the fee involved. Whether Barcelona's interest escalates to a formal bid before their deadline will likely depend on how quickly the situation with Álvarez resolves itself in either direction.