Bournemouth Aims to Keep Key Trio Amid Growing Transfer Interest
Bournemouth is resolute in its decision to fend off any summer offers for Eli Junior Kroupi, Rayan, and Alex Scott as interest in the trio intensifies. The club expresses confidence that Scott will agree to a new long-term contract despite the attention from Premier League rivals and Europe's elite clubs monitoring the 19-year-olds, Rayan and Kroupi. Scott, a standout performer for Bournemouth, played a crucial role in qualifying for the Europa League. The club is eager to reward their £25 million acquisition from Bristol City three years ago with a new deal. He was called up to the England squad in November and will participate in a training camp in Florida next month, where he could make his senior debut in upcoming friendlies against New Zealand or Costa Rica. Kroupi made history by scoring 13 goals in his debut Premier League season after arriving from Lorient last summer. Rayan, who joined from Vasco da Gama in January, has also been included in the Brazil squad for the World Cup. Bournemouth anticipates Kroupi, a £12 million signing, to remain with the club for at least another season. Although Rayan has a €100 million (£87 million) release clause, it reportedly will not activate until the summer window of 2027. Historically, Bournemouth has been open to player trades, but only Dean Huijsen has departed after one season, following Real Madrid's activation of his £50 million release clause last May. Under Andoni Iraola, who led the club to a record sixth-placed finish, Bournemouth will compete in Europe for the first time despite over £250 million in sales of key players this season. The club aims to bolster its squad by adding three or four players, focusing primarily on a centre-back to replace Marcos Senesi, who is leaving on a free and attracting interest from Liverpool and Tottenham, and a striker to challenge Evanilson.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-05-28