Eli Junior Kroupi, the 18-year-old French striker who has been making waves in Ligue 2 with Lorient, is set to make a high-profile move to Lyon, despite intense interest from several Premier League clubs, notably West Ham United, Chelsea, and Bournemouth. The transfer, which is expected to see Kroupi join Lyon on a deal for the long-term, has come as a bit of a surprise to many in the football world. Despite West Ham reportedly making a substantial offer for the teenager, the rising star appears to have preferred to stay at Lorient for the remainder of the season before completing his move to Lyon. Kroupi is expected to be loaned back to Lorient as part of the deal, allowing him to continue his development in a familiar environment before making his eventual transition to Ligue 1.
The interest in Kroupi had reached a fever pitch, particularly after his outstanding performances for Lorient this season in Ligue 2. The French forward has been in superb form, netting 9 goals and providing 2 assists in just 17 appearances. These performances have turned the heads of scouts from across Europe, and several high-profile clubs had been eager to secure his services. West Ham, in particular, were determined to bring Kroupi to the Premier League, seeing him as a potential long-term solution to their attacking woes. Reports indicated that West Ham had offered a deal worth up to £35 million, which is a significant sum for a player of Kroupi’s age and relatively limited experience at the top level of French football.
Despite this strong interest from the Premier League club, Kroupi’s preference seems to lie with Lyon, a club that has long had a reputation for developing young talent. It’s clear that Lyon have positioned themselves as the frontrunners for Kroupi, with the French side able to offer him a future in one of Europe’s top leagues, a pathway to first-team football in Ligue 1, and the chance to further his development under the guidance of a club with a strong tradition of nurturing young stars. This move is also seen as a significant step for Lyon, who are continuing their strategy of building a team for the future. Although Kroupi will complete the formalities of the transfer in the coming days, the Lyon club have reportedly agreed on a deal with Lorient that will see the player stay on loan with his current club for the remainder of the 2024/2025 season, allowing him to finish out his impressive season in Ligue 2.
For West Ham, this is a tough pill to swallow, as they were hoping to bring Kroupi in during the winter transfer window to immediately bolster their squad. With West Ham’s forward line lacking in depth and struggling with consistency, Kroupi’s arrival was seen as a much-needed reinforcement. However, with Kroupi opting to stay in France for the rest of the season, West Ham are left to regroup and reassess their options. It appears that they may have to wait until the summer to revisit a potential move for the talented young forward, though by then, competition for his signature may have intensified, especially if Kroupi continues his excellent form.
The Hammers are reportedly not sitting idly by, however. West Ham are believed to have already lined up a potential alternative in the form of Brighton’s young striker Evan Ferguson. Reports suggest that West Ham are close to completing a loan deal for Ferguson, who has been impressing in the Premier League with Brighton. Ferguson’s arrival would provide West Ham with a dynamic attacking option, albeit one with less of the raw potential that Kroupi brings. Ferguson has shown his capabilities at the top level in the Premier League, and a move to West Ham could be an opportunity for him to secure more regular first-team football and further his development in a more prominent role.
For Lyon, the deal to secure Kroupi represents a major coup. The club is investing in the future, and with Kroupi’s potential, the move could prove to be a long-term success. The financial details of the deal between Lyon and Lorient have yet to be fully disclosed, but it is clear that Lyon have acted decisively to capture the youngster, securing a deal that could turn out to be very lucrative for them if Kroupi lives up to his billing. Lyon’s reputation for developing young talent and giving them a chance to shine in Ligue 1 was undoubtedly a factor in Kroupi’s decision to join the French club over other interested parties. The move also ensures that Lyon can bring in a top-tier prospect, one who can be integrated into their squad gradually before making a significant impact in the coming seasons.
Kroupi’s decision to stay with Lorient for the rest of the season gives him the opportunity to continue growing and playing regularly in Ligue 2, where he has already shown his promise. This extended stay will also allow Lyon to monitor his progress closely before bringing him into the fold for next season. The arrangement should benefit both Kroupi and his new club, as he will be able to develop without the immediate pressure of adapting to the demands of Ligue 1.
As for West Ham, the failure to secure Kroupi is a setback, especially given their high hopes for the young forward. However, the club’s transfer strategy may not be entirely derailed, as they have already moved swiftly to pursue other targets like Ferguson. The signing of Ferguson could help West Ham address their immediate striker needs, but whether they will look to pursue Kroupi again in the summer remains to be seen. Given his remarkable potential, Lyon’s early acquisition of Kroupi could make him even more sought after when the transfer window reopens, potentially complicating West Ham’s efforts to bring him to the Premier League in the future.
For now, Kroupi’s move to Lyon marks an exciting new chapter in his career, and the teenager’s development will be closely watched by fans and scouts alike. If he continues to impress in Ligue 2 and then transitions successfully into Ligue 1 with Lyon, he could quickly establish himself as one of the brightest young forwards in French football, making his eventual move to a bigger club a likely inevitability.