Summer setback for Eli Junior Krupi: foot surgery sidelines him for three to four months

What had looked like a career-defining summer move for Eli Junior Krupi has turned into a major setback. The Bournemouth striker underwent foot surgery and is now expected to be sidelined for three to four months, forcing him to miss a large portion of the season's start.

In recent weeks Krupi was repeatedly linked with Barcelona, who viewed the young French forward as a possible answer to their vacancy at centre-forward after the departure of Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona had explored younger, more affordable options once the club realised that their primary target, Julián Álvarez, was not available from Atlético Madrid.

Barça interest stalled before the injury

Sporting director Deco singled out Krupi as an attractive option because of his age, pace and growth potential, and media reports mentioned a price tag of approximately €130 million. Bournemouth, however, made clear it did not want to sell this summer and treated the player as a key piece of its long-term project — a stance that discouraged Barcelona and other potential suitors.

Manchester City and Arsenal were also credited with interest, but the English club repeatedly insisted the forward was not for sale. The plan had been for Krupi to remain in the Premier League and continue his development with Bournemouth, with the new season offering him a stage to raise his value further.

Instead, the foot operation changes those plans. Krupi faces a rehabilitation process that will determine the exact timing of his return, while Bournemouth must find short-term attacking solutions to cover for his absence during the first months of the campaign.

Photo: press material from the event