Bournemouth have made clear they have no intention of allowing Eli Junior Kroupi to leave in January, despite growing interest from Arsenal in the 20-year-old striker.

Arsenal's attacking depth took a significant hit this summer after the departures of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus — with only Christos Tzolis arriving to fill the void. That thin front line has left manager Mikel Arteta searching for options, and Kroupi has emerged as one of the names under consideration.

A teenager who rewrote the record books

Kroupi announced himself to English football in spectacular fashion last season, netting 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances — the highest tally ever recorded by a teenager in a single Premier League campaign. Bournemouth finished sixth, their best-ever league position.

His 13th goal carried particular significance: it came against Manchester City and handed Arsenal their first league title in 22 years, earning Kroupi an unlikely place in Gunners folklore.

The Frenchman missed the opening weeks of the current campaign through a foot injury, and with Arsenal continuing to struggle for goals, a January approach had looked increasingly plausible.

Bournemouth's firm stance

However, TEAMtalk sources indicate that Bournemouth are determined to hold on to Kroupi through the winter window. The club are conscious of what happened last January, when Antoine Semenyo departed for Manchester City — a move the Cherries were powerless to block due to a release clause in the Ghanaian winger's contract.

Kroupi has a similar clause, reported by The Guardian at £87 million, though Arsenal — as Premier League champions — would likely seek to negotiate a lower fee before triggering it.

Transfermarkt values the striker at £70 million. Arsenal face competition from Manchester United, among others, should they push ahead with a formal bid.

A crowded picture at the Emirates

Kai Havertz has led Arsenal's attack for much of the season, with Viktor Gyokeres operating in a supporting role. Neither has fully convinced in recent weeks, fuelling calls from supporters to move in the transfer market this winter.

A fresh injury to Tzolis on international duty with Greece has added further pressure, while Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have stepped into wider attacking roles. Bukayo Saka has also been sidelined, thinning Arsenal's options further.

Kroupi is seen as a potential option on the left flank, should Arsenal finalise their interest. First, however, they travel to Liverpool this weekend as Premier League fixtures continue.