Ray Parlour believes that in-demand Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi would be a 'very good' signing for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side. The Gunners are keen to bolster their attacking options this summer and have identified Kroupi, 19, as a top target.
Impressive debut season
Kroupi enjoyed a superb first season in the Premier League following his £10million move from French side Lorient, scoring 13 goals for Bournemouth as the Cherries qualified for Europe for the first time in the club's history. While still under contract until 2030, the French teenager is already attracting interest from a host of top clubs after a superb maiden season in the English top-flight.
Interest from rivals
Alongside Arsenal, there is reported interest from Chelsea and Manchester United, while European champions Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be considering a move. Bournemouth are said to have no desire to part ways with the talented striker, and reports in France suggest they will demand a fee of 100m euros (£86m) before they even consider a sale.
Parlour's endorsement
But former Arsenal midfielder Parlour believes the deal could be worth every penny and backed Kroupi to only get better under Arteta's tutelage. 'Kroupi's a very good, talented player, there's no doubt about that,' Parlour told The Mirror. 'He's a young player, and you know Mikel Arteta can make players even better when they're young, so that would be a good signing.'
Rogers also on radar
Elsewhere, Parlour also backed Arsenal's pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, who has been linked with an £80m move to the Emirates this summer. 'I think Rogers is a fantastic player,' Parlour added. 'He can play off the left-hand side as well. I think we need someone off the left. I don't know what will happen with Trossard or Martinelli, but Rogers can play in the No. 10 role as well, which he's done very well at Aston Villa. I'm interested to see where Rogers plays for England at the World Cup.'
Shearer's prediction
Speaking earlier this week to Betfair, Alan Shearer said: 'I can see Bournemouth players following Andoni Iraola to Liverpool. I totally understand why bigger clubs will be looking at their players because of their outstanding performances, particularly last season, though I guess Bournemouth fans will hate to hear this. I said months ago that the two players I would pick out of that team would be Kroupi Junior and Alex Scott. I think they've been absolutely outstanding this season for Bournemouth, so it wouldn't be a surprise to me at all if they were to go this summer.'
Rogers unfazed by speculation
Speaking recently, Rogers insisted that any transfer speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal would not be a distraction as he gears up for a pivotal few weeks at the World Cup with England. 'I think the first time speculation ever happened it was [a distraction],' he told the Rest is Football podcast. 'You're in an uncomfortable spot of not realising that people have so much interest in you and you're not quite realising that. But as you get older and gain experience along the way, you know that comes with it and 95 per cent of it is just noise. You hear it, course you do. You can't help not [hearing it]. You know it's there but you've got to use it in a positive way. You just try and get on with your game and just focus.'
