According to L'Équipe, Barcelona's pursuit of Alvarez has encountered obstacles, prompting them to turn to AFC Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi, with both offers rejected.
Previously, Barcelona had been pushing for the transfer of Alvarez for several weeks but faced extreme difficulty, as Atletico Madrid considered the player non-transferable. Now, Barcelona has initiated an alternative plan. As previously revealed by this newspaper, French striker Eli Junior Kroupi is Barcelona's second transfer target. Coach Hans-Flick highly rates his abilities, and after confirming his suitability, Barcelona's sporting director Deco has launched an offensive to acquire him in recent days.
It is understood that Barcelona have submitted two offers to AFC Bournemouth, both for less than 100 million euros, and both were rejected by AFC Bournemouth. Over the past two days, reports of Barcelona's interest in the player from the Lorient academy have sparked heated discussion among the Catalan media. The media have praised the immense potential of the 20-year-old striker, and enthusiasm among the local public has grown even stronger after photos surfaced of Kroupi wearing a Barcelona jersey as a child. According to multiple sources, Kroupi himself is very keen to join Barcelona and has expressed this wish to his agent team. AFC Bournemouth currently continue to reject all acquisition offers, but their stance is not entirely without room for maneuver.
Alvarez remains Flick's top transfer target, and Barcelona president Joan Laporta is still personally pushing for his signing. During the World Cup, Alvarez publicly stated: "I've spoken with people at Atletico Madrid, and I think a transfer is the best option for everyone. I want to fulfill my dream." This statement further worsened the already strained relationship between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Neither Barcelona nor Alvarez has given up on the deal, and Laporta and Barcelona's sporting management are quietly advancing related work. As the reigning La Liga champions, Barcelona's previous offer of 100 million euros has so far failed to impress Atletico Madrid's leadership. Robert Lewandowski has now left, and Ferran Torres is also being pursued by PSG. Barcelona must strengthen its attacking line, which is Flick's top priority, and the club needs to push hard for these two extremely difficult signings.
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