As claimed by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig on X, Arsenal are heavily scouting French U19 forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who is racking up impressive numbers for FC Lorient this season.
Discovering France’s rising star: Eli Junior Kroupi
He is considered one of the brightest talents within the Les Merlus camp. The 18-year-old already scored four goals and provided an assist in eight Ligue 2 games in the current campaign.
The Daily Mail called him ‘the next Kylian Mbappe’ due to the potential he possesses. Arsenal are already attending all his games and keeping a close eye on his development.
Kroupi is already Lorent’s youngest ever goal scorer and the youngest player to score a brace in Ligue 1 since Bernard Zeneir in 1974.
Eli Junior Kroupi – Ligue 2 24/25:
☑️8 games
⏱️474 minutes
⚽️4 goals
🅰️1 assist
📈25% conversion rate
🔑7 key passes
🎯1 big chance created
⚡️5/6 successful dribbles18 years of age. One of France’s most exciting U19s. Extremely interesting future ahead. 🟠⚫️ pic.twitter.com/tFVXHUa8kz
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) October 9, 2024
He operates as a forward, a second striker, or an attacking midfielder. The youngster’s finishing, pace, and off-the-ball movements are very strong.
Also, his ball control and link-up well are exciting to watch. He is a mobile attacker and can use his versatility to play at various positions upfront.
Plus, the added benefit of being a good set piece taker makes him even more appealing for Mikel Arteta and co. He just needs to work on his weak foot usage and heading ability.
Arsenal scouts watch serious Lorient talent
As per French outlet L’Equipe, several top European clubs have been circling the waters for the academy star. Arsenal are currently facing competition from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, OSC Lille, Stade Rennais, and VFB Stuttgart.
Lorient kept a high asking price, and the player himself has decided to stay at the Stade du Moustoir stadium this season.
However, it remains to be seen how the Gunners will convince the player to move to England. Their scouts are busy analysing the player, and we expect the club to ponder a move in the future.
Kroupi’s contract runs until 2026, and his parent club is already planning the next contract offer. This might bring in additional challenges for Arsenal.
While talking to Prime Video Sport last December, Lorient president Loic Fery suggested that the French starlet is the child of the club and they will do everything in power to keep him.
👀 Loic Féry sur Eli Junior Kroupi : “L’objectif est le garder le plus longtemps possible.”#FCLOM pic.twitter.com/kK7g6eNAAj
— Prime Video Sport France (@PVSportFR) December 10, 2023
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Former Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is their current sporting director, and if the English giants can pat him on the back, things might work out. There is a lot of groundwork yet to be done, and with added competition, we expect things to heat up next year.
For now, all focus will be on how the attacker develops himself under a protective environment at Lorient.
