Bournemouth striker Eli Kroupi out 3-4 months after surgery

Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi is expected to be sidelined for three to four months after undergoing surgery for a fractured foot, dealing a major blow to the club's preparations for the new season. The 20-year-old forward sustained a fifth metatarsal fracture during the team's preseason training camp in Austria earlier this week and returned to England for the operation, which took place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

The injury is a significant setback for new head coach Marco Rose, who will now have to plan for the start of the Premier League campaign and the club's inaugural Europa League participation without his top scorer from last season. Medical staff anticipate a recovery period that will likely keep Kroupi out of action until late October or November.

Kroupi enjoyed a standout debut season in English football after joining Bournemouth from Lorient in 2025, scoring 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances. His performances were instrumental in Bournemouth securing a sixth-place finish and European qualification last term. That form had attracted widespread transfer interest from several elite clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, and Paris...