Barcelona drops Laporte pursuit, targets striker Eli Junior Kroupi
FC Barcelona has decided not to negotiate for Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, stating that strengthening the back‑line is not a priority and any deal would require direct talks with Bilbao, where Laporte is under contract until 2028.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski rejected a two‑year €200 million offer from Saudi Arabian club Al‑Ittihad to remain at Barcelona, but left the club after his contract expired and signed with MLS side Chicago Fire.
A prospective transfer for Argentine forward Julián Álvarez has stalled because Atletico Madrid refuses to negotiate, prompting Barcelona to search for alternatives.
Barcelona is now exploring the acquisition of French forward Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth. The club has set a ceiling of €100 million for a striker, while Bournemouth is asking around €130 million. Kroupi, 20, scored 13 goals in 35 matches last season. Coach Hansi Flick has approved the potential move, and Manchester City are also reported to be interested.
Entities: AFC Bournemouth · Aymeric Laporte · Eli Junior Kroupi · FC Barcelona · Hansi Flick · Julian Álvarez · Robert Lewandowski
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Aymeric Laporte has a contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2028. (5d87381a-1467-45a7-81be-62fccf0845e5)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Barcelona decided not to pursue Aymeric Laporte. (5d87381a-1467-45a7-81be-62fccf0845e5)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Barcelona set a maximum spend of €100 million for a striker, while Bournemouth asks around €130 million for Kroupi. (0b1d3306-47ed-47f6-9577-231520df6bcc)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Barcelona is considering signing French striker Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth. (0b1d3306-47ed-47f6-9577-231520df6bcc)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Hansi Flick approved the potential signing of Eli Junior Kroupi. (0b1d3306-47ed-47f6-9577-231520df6bcc)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Negotiations for Julian Álvarez have stalled because Atletico Madrid refused to negotiate. (496669dc-4cdd-4ccc-a95a-e57c696f47d7)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Robert Lewandowski later left Barcelona and signed with Chicago Fire. (cdfac315-6283-45df-9a37-9afc68d360c3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Robert Lewandowski refused a €200 million two‑year offer from Al‑Ittihad to stay at Barcelona. (cdfac315-6283-45df-9a37-9afc68d360c3)