Barcelona will reportedly compete with Real Madrid in the race to sign 17-year-old French prodigy Eli Junior Kroupi from Lorient.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Eli Junior Kroupi is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The 17-year-old has drawn comparisons with Kylian Mbappe after his exploits in age-group football in France. Meanwhile, the Lorient prodigy is also a target for Real Madrid.
Eli Junior Kroupi is the latest to emerge from the non-stop revolving door of prodigious prospects in France. A native of Lorient, the French sensation has been with his hometown club since he was seven years old. He has been top-class in age-group football in his homeland, with his performances helping him draw comparisons with Kylian Mbappe.
The 17-year-old made his first-team debut for Lorient towards the end of last season and has risen in stature this term. Kroupi has not been a regular starter thus far in the ongoing campaign but has made eight appearances while managing three goals and two assists. Meanwhile, the young attacker’s progress has not gone unnoticed.
Kroupi’s progress has captured the attention of several high-profile clubs in Europe, with Real Madrid being one of his prospective suitors. But the Merengues face stiff competition from La Liga rivals Barcelona in the race to sign the teenage prodigy.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are renowned for constantly scouring the market for the most prodigious young prospects. Such an outlook has meant that the two clubs have often competed for several prodigies. These include Neymar, Vinicius Junior, and Pablo Torre. Eli Junior Kroupi is now the latest wonderkid to emerge on Barcelona and Real Madrid’s radar.
Considering Kroupi has drawn comparisons with Mbappe, it is natural that Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in him. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has been a target for both clubs for a long time, with Real Madrid prioritising a 2024 Bosman move for him.
For now, Barcelona and Real Madrid are closely monitoring Eli Junior Kroupi’s progress at FC Lorient. It will be interesting to see if the “new Mbappe” joins a bigger club in 2024 or if he remains at his boyhood club to continue his progress.
