Arsenal want world's most improved star: €100m ace will be a Havertz upgrade

Analysis

Tom Weber | Writer

Arsenal have a well-documented interest in Bournemouth forward Eli Kroupi, and there is a very good reason why they are so keen on him.

The 20-year-old is getting closer to making his return to competitive football after suffering a serious foot injury in pre-season. Kroupi has yet to play this term, but he has now returned to on-pitch training.

Last week, Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose said that Kroupi could be back in the squad in a "few weeks," which will be a major boon to a Cherries team that has struggled to get results in the Premier League.

Their 2-0 win over 10-man Sunderland at the weekend was their first of the new season. It has been a difficult start to the campaign without Kroupi, who bagged an impressive 13 goals in fewer than 1,700 minutes last term.

This clinical goalscoring form prompted interest from numerous big-hitters in the summer. However, a combination of his injury and Bournemouth's unwillingness to sell made a deal impossible. It is likely to be a different story in 2027, provided he reaches a similar level after his return to fitness.

Kroupi is the most improved player in the world

Among the clubs interested in Kroupi were Arsenal and Barcelona, as both failed in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, albeit for different reasons. The Frenchman was deemed an ideal alternative, but a transfer simply wasn't possible.

Barcelona remain interested in Alvarez, but the urgency to sign a striker has dramatically decreased after the team's rip-roaring start to the new season, which has seen bargain signing Gabriel Jesus chip in with four goals across all competitions already.

It is therefore unclear whether they will revive their interest in Kroupi. This is good news for Arsenal, who still need attacking reinforcements. Viktor Gyokeres has failed to live up to expectations and is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with his reduced role this season.

The Swede will likely be on the move in 2027, and Kroupi could be a suitable replacement, although he may cost in the region of €100 million if he can rediscover his importance to Bournemouth over the next few months.

According to analytics firm SciSports, Arsenal's interest in Kroupi makes perfect sense. The 20-year-old has come on leaps and bounds in recent times. In fact, he has been the most improved player in the world in 2026.

SciSports analyses hundreds of in-game data points and then calculates a SciSkill rating and potential. It also tracks the development of players, and no one with a SciSkill rating of at least 75 has enjoyed more "rapid" growth than Kroupi.

His SciSkill has grown by a whopping 19.2 points over the past six months, and by 25.3 in the last year. Only Real Madrid striker Carlos Espi can match this development, followed by Sevilla star Robbie Ure with 17.6 in six months. Inter forward Pio Esposito has grown by 14.4 points.

What's more, Kroupi still has immense potential. SciSports believes that the 20-year-old can become better than both Kai Havertz and Gyokeres at Arsenal. He isn't at that level yet, but if he keeps developing at his current rate, he could reach it within the next 18 months.

Of course, it may take a while for him to get back to his previous level after his months-long injury lay-off, but if he is still the player he was last season, it will only be a matter of time before he gets snapped up by Arsenal or another top club.