Tottenham and Arsenal target Eli Junior Kroupi has taken another step towards returning from his foot injury, potentially giving Spurs an opportunity to assess the striker ahead of the January transfer window.

Kroupi was reportedly near the top of Tottenham’s striker wishlist during the summer. Some reports even suggested that Spurs were just 24 hours away from submitting an offer worth more than £80m before the Bournemouth forward suffered a broken foot.

Tottenham eventually signed Omar Marmoush on an initial loan from Manchester City, although the Egyptian is yet to score for his new club. With Roberto De Zerbi’s side struggling for goals, reports have suggested that Spurs and Arsenal could revisit their interest in Kroupi when the January transfer window opens.

The 20-year-old’s recovery could therefore be significant for Tottenham’s transfer planning. However, there is still a difference between Kroupi returning to fitness and Spurs deciding to make another substantial investment in their attack.

Tottenham target Eli Junior Kroupi is back out on the pitch

A previous update suggested Kroupi was stepping up his recovery and hoped to return before the January transfer window. Bournemouth Echo journalist Alexander Smith has now provided a further indication that the striker is making progress.

Relaying an update from Bournemouth manager Marco Rose, Smith revealed that Kroupi has returned to outdoor training and could be available again within the next few weeks. The journalist also confirmed that Amine Adli and Justin Kluivert were expected to return to the Bournemouth squad for their next match.

Alexander Smith (@AlexSmithEcho), 14 October 2026:

The news is encouraging for Bournemouth, although a return to outdoor training does not necessarily mean Kroupi is ready for competitive football. Having suffered a broken foot, the forward will still need to build up his fitness before he can be considered fully available.

For Tottenham, the timing could prove useful if their interest remains active. Should Kroupi return within the next few weeks, Spurs would potentially have several Bournemouth matches to assess his condition and performances before making a decision in January.

That could be particularly important given the circumstances surrounding their reported summer interest. If the injury contributed to Tottenham abandoning a potential £80m offer, seeing Kroupi return to regular football would provide more information about whether such an investment is worth revisiting.

Would Kroupi still make sense for Tottenham after Marmoush signing?

Tottenham’s interest in Kroupi would also raise questions about how another expensive forward would fit into De Zerbi’s plans. Spurs have already invested heavily in their attack, and Marmoush’s arrival means the club must consider whether another major signing is the best way to address their goalscoring problems.

Kroupi’s appeal is understandable given his age and the potential he demonstrated before his injury. However, Tottenham would need to assess more than his goalscoring record, including whether his movement, link-up play and ability to operate in De Zerbi’s system would offer something different from their existing options.

The club’s attacking struggles may strengthen the argument for further investment, but they do not automatically make Kroupi the right solution. Spurs would also need to consider whether their problems stem from the performances of their forwards or the quality of chances being created for them.

Spurs may face competition from Arsenal and Barcelona for Kroupi

Tottenham could also face a more complicated transfer battle than they anticipated during the summer. According to Fichajes, Arsenal and Barcelona are also interested in Kroupi, although those links remain unconfirmed.

The same report suggests Bournemouth could demand around €100m (£84.8m) for the striker. That figure has not been established as an official asking price, but it underlines the potential cost of any move if the Cherries are reluctant to sell.

Bournemouth would also have little reason to rush into a decision while Kroupi is recovering from injury. With the forward yet to return to competitive action, there remains considerable uncertainty over whether a January transfer would be realistic.

For now, Kroupi’s progress is a positive development for Bournemouth rather than confirmation of a breakthrough in Tottenham’s pursuit. If he returns to action in the coming weeks and quickly rediscovers his form, Spurs could have a clearer picture of whether to revive their interest when the transfer window opens.