£100m star De Zerbi and Tottenham are now ‘willing’ to sign him

Eli Junior Kroupi has gone from one of Europe’s brightest young players to one of the most sought-after strikers in the Premier League, and Tottenham are hotly contested in the race for his signature.

The Bournemouth striker burst onto the scene last season, scoring 13 Premier League goals in his first full season in England despite being just 20 years old.

Comfortable as a forward, second striker or left-back, Kroupi showed a maturity that belied his years. His smart movement, calm finishing and relentless work rate quickly made him one of the biggest success stories of the campaign.

It is easy to understand why Tottenham have been so interested.

He can stretch defenses with his pace, drift into pockets of space and get into the box at the right time to score, which would be a huge asset for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

The Frenchman will also fill in for Dominic Solanke instead of replacing him. Solanke is happy to coordinate play and stay in full-backs, while Kroupi’s movement can allow him to attack the spaces created in the vicinity of the penalty area.

Competition is fierce, however.

PSG have taken a liking to the Frenchman, while Arsenal have also been monitoring his development for some time.

Some reports have suggested that Bournemouth will consider a sale for an extraordinary amount, with prices ranging from around £85 million to as high as £100 million because the striker remains under contract until 2030 and the Cherries have no financial need to sell.

Bournemouth know what they have, which is why any club interested will have to break the bank.

Eli Junior Kroupi is keen to work under De Zerbi at Tottenham

All that being said, according to TEAMtalk reporter Graeme Bailey, Tottenham have received a major boost in their pursuit of Kroupi.

Bailey reports that the Bournemouth striker is attracted by the chance to work under De Zerbi, which could be a huge help, and Spurs are ‘willing’ to make a move for him.

Young players are increasingly prioritizing regular football and the chance to further develop rather than simply joining Europe’s biggest clubs, and De Zerbi has earned a reputation for developing attacking players throughout his coaching career.

The biggest obstacle remains Bournemouth.

The South-coast club have repeatedly said they don’t want to lose Kroupi and reports suggest they will need the star’s offer before they even consider negotiations.

Barring a release clause, Bournemouth hold almost all the cards.

That leaves Tottenham with a difficult decision. Do they commit £100 million to a player with more potential, or do they turn to one with more experience?