Liverpool's hopes of landing a "world-class" striker who recently matched a Robbie Fowler milestone appear to be fading fast, with the player's current club sending a clear message that he is not for sale—at any price.

The Reds' attacking ranks have taken a hit this season. Hugo Ekitike is sidelined with a long-term injury, Mo Salah—who is set to leave Anfield at the end of the campaign—is currently out, and Alexander Isak has struggled to find consistency in his first season on Merseyside. While The Telegraph's Dominic King reported Tuesday that FSG won't seek a replacement for the injured Frenchman, other sources suggest Liverpool have been keeping tabs on a rising star.

According to Mark Douglas of The i Paper, the Reds are among several Premier League clubs interested in Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi. However, the Cherries are standing firm: the 19-year-old will not be sold under any circumstances. In fact, Bournemouth is considering rewarding the teenager with a new contract to reflect his outstanding season, and they won't even entertain a sale until at least next summer. Even then, the price tag is expected to start at a staggering £100 million.

Kroupi is reportedly happy and settled at the Vitality Stadium, thriving with an upwardly mobile club. His stock rose even higher last Sunday when he scored his 12th Premier League goal of the season in Bournemouth's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. That tally equals the record for a teenager in their debut top-flight campaign—a feat previously achieved only by Robbie Fowler (1993/94) and Robbie Keane (1999/2000), according to afcb.co.uk.

To put that in perspective: Kroupi has scored more Premier League goals this season than any Liverpool player (Ekitike leads the Reds with 11) and nearly double Salah's tally of seven. With his value soaring and Bournemouth refusing to budge, Liverpool may need to look elsewhere to bolster their attack.