Why Spurs want to sign £100m England star

There’s been goalkeeping woes and defensive chaos at Tottenham Hotspur in recent seasons, but the drop in quality at the top end of the pitch has perhaps been the most stark issue.

In 2024/25, for instance, Brennan Johnson was the only player to hit double figures for Premier League goals under Ange Postecoglou, the Welshman netting 11 times, ahead of James Maddison and Dominic Solanke on nine.

It was a similar story last season too, with Richarlison this time the only player to get into double figures, the Brazilian sitting atop the pile with 11 himself, comfortably ahead of Joao Palhinha in second (five).

It’s no surprise then that the Lilywhites are looking toward the likes of Eli Junior Kroupi, with the Bournemouth starlet enjoying such a remarkable rise in recent seasons.

How Kroupi compares to Spurs’ current forwards

Signed from Lorient for just £12m last year, Kroupi went on to score 13 goals in his first season with the Cherries, the best return of any teenager in their debut Premier League campaign.

That comes after the now 20-year-old had scored 23 goals across all competitions back in France the year prior, 22 of which came in Ligue 2.

He may have been operating in the second tier of French football, but an overall record of 36 goals since the start of 2024/25 makes for impressive reading, particularly in contrast to Roberto De Zerbi’s current crop.

Since signing in 2022, for instance, Richarlison has only scored 32 goals in total for Spurs, while Dominic Solanke has netted only 22 times in the last two years.

Kroupi’s compatriot, Mathys Tel, has scored just 22 times at senior level, while fellow Frenchman Randal Kolo Muani scored only five goals across 2025/26, prior to his return to Paris Saint-Germain.

From the days of Harry Kane netting 30 Premier League goals in his final season back in 2022/23, the north Londoners have now been left with a pool of underwhelming, injury-hit attacking options, none of whom have clicked into gear at N17.

Hopefully, young Kroupi – if he is to sign this summer – can provide a fresh injection of quality, although he can’t do it alone.

Why Spurs want to sign “one of the best players in England”

The belief is that Spurs are keen to sign Kroupi ahead of next season, and that the Bournemouth sensation is keen to join, with the key sticking point likely to be his reported £90m price tag.

There’s also the issue of Arsenal’s long-standing interest in the striker, with the two rivals seemingly in the market for similar targets this summer.

Indeed, as reported by one notable Arsenal source, the Gunners could be joined by Tottenham in the race for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with the Lilywhites said to have ‘showed some interest’ in the England man.

While Rogers’ priority remains moving to the Emirates after the World Cup, perhaps Spurs can continue the trend of the summer by making a big play for the £100m-rated forward.

If the 23-year-old is to be brought into the building at N17, it could allow for De Zerbi to fashion a devastating new forward line, alongside potential fellow arrival, Kroupi.

For the latter man, he’s a truly clinical, natural finisher, with his 13 goals coming via a conversion rate of 25%, having missed only three ‘big chances’ last term.

In the mould of a certain Jermain Defoe, Kroupi is a slight, nimble forward, not exactly a player who can be a physical focal point when leading the line.

That could then be where Rogers comes into play, the former Middlesbrough man such a powerhouse when operating either as a number ten or off the left flank, rightly hailed by former teammate Nicolo Zaniolo as “one of the best players in England“.

He’s a player who drags defenders towards him, vacating space for those around him, having notably completed 1.1 dribbles per game last term for Unai Emery’s side.

Most importantly, there is an end product to match, with Rogers ending 2025/26 having scored ten and assisted six in the Premier League, while also creating a total of 13 ‘big chances’.

With his ability to drive at defenders and surge into the box, largely in the left channel, the Three Lions star then has the presence of mind to pick out a teammate, as that raft of chances created showcases.

Having Kroupi there to pounce on those openings could prove an almost unplayable combination, with the Frenchman showcasing last term that he’s so ruthless in front of goal, so deadly if given a yard inside the area.

After such woes since the start of 2024/25, in particular, Spurs are in need of a drastic facelift in attack, something that having both Rogers and Kroupi working in tandem would provide.

That little and large combination could well be just what De Zerbi is crying out for heading into the new campaign.