Just in: Barcelona rule out Premier League striker, Romano says

Just in, FC Barcelona face a pressing need for a new number nine after Robert Lewandowski, the Pole, departed at the end of last season, leaving a gaping hole in the jersey. The Catalan club have been hunting throughout the summer to fill the gap, eyeing Premier League options.

Barça’s priority remains Julian Alvarez, the dream target identified after Lewandowski’s exit. However, Atletico Madrid have not opened their doors, making a summer transfer appear far‑fetched.

Consequently, former Barcelona midfielder Deco highlighted Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi as a potential reinforcement. The French forward was presented as an alternative to the Argentine striker.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano later confirmed that Barcelona are not moving forward with a deal for Kroupi after the Cherries insisted he is not for sale this summer. The club therefore withdrew from the transfer race.

Earlier reports had linked Manchester City and Arsenal to the Frenchman, and Bournemouth were said to value him at around €130 million, although no formal price tag was placed. The current obstacle is therefore his availability rather than the price.

From Barça’s perspective, stepping back is sensible given other squad priorities and financial decisions that must be managed before the window closes. Admiring a young player is one thing, but entering a costly battle for a player whose club refuses to sell would be hard to justify.

Kroupi’s profile remains attractive because of his age, attacking versatility and long‑term upside, traits that Barcelona identified as suitable for development at the highest level. Yet timing matters; the right talent at the wrong moment can become an unrealistic operation.

If Barcelona sign another striker this summer, the link with Kroupi is likely to fade for the foreseeable future. Should they fail to secure a No. 9, they could continue scouting Kroupi and mount a concrete push in the next transfer window.