Barcelona and Manchester City have set their sights on one of the Premier League's rising stars, but it seems they'll need to wait—or dig deep into their pockets—if they want to land him this summer.

The player in question is Eli Junior Kroupi, the 19-year-old Bournemouth striker who has been turning heads with a breakout debut season in England. With Robert Lewandowski reportedly set to leave Camp Nou at the end of the season, Barcelona are actively searching for a new center-forward. While Julian Alvarez remains their top priority, the financial hurdles involved have forced the Blaugrana to explore more affordable alternatives—and Kroupi has quickly emerged as a compelling option.

However, according to Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas, Bournemouth have made it clear: Kroupi is not for sale this summer. The young Frenchman only joined the Cherries last year from Lorient, and he's already made a major impact, scoring 12 goals in 30 Premier League appearances. His impressive form hasn't just caught Barcelona's eye—Manchester City and several other Premier League clubs are also monitoring him closely.

Barcelona's interest in Kroupi isn't new. The Catalan club had been tracking him as far back as 2024, before his move to Bournemouth. This season, they've stepped up their scouting efforts, with the France U21 international viewed as a long-term prospect. But with Kroupi under contract until 2030, Bournemouth hold all the cards—and they're not budging unless a truly significant offer comes in.

For now, Barcelona's chances of signing Kroupi look slim. But the club's scouting network remains active, with other Premier League attackers like Chelsea's Joao Pedro and Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon also on their radar. As the summer window approaches, the Blaugrana will need to decide whether to push for a big-money move or look elsewhere for their next striking star.