MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 14:27:57| >> :60:84:84:

Real Madrid, Barcelona 'keen on wonderkid Eli Junior Kroupi'

Real Madrid, Barcelona 'keen on wonderkid Eli Junior Kroupi'
© Reuters
Real Madrid and Barcelona are keen on teenage forward Eli Junior Kroupi amid his impressive form for Lorient, according to a report.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are both reportedly closely monitoring teenage forward Eli Junior Kroupi amid his impressive form for Lorient during the 2023-24 campaign.

The 17-year-old has been with Lorient since 2013, progressing though the various age groups at the club before making his first-team debut in June 2023.

Junior Kroupi has scored three times and registered two assists in eight Ligue 1 appearances this season, with his form believed to have led to a host of attention.

According to Foot 01, via Sport, both Real Madrid and Barcelona are monitoring the youngster, with the pair potentially going head-to-head for his signature in the not too distant future.

Barcelona coach Xavi before the match on October 4, 2023© Reuters

Junior Kroupi's performances have seen him compared to both Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's 16-year-old attacker Lamine Yamal.

Lorient are unlikely to be able to keep hold of the forward for much longer, but he signed a contract extension in August, with his current terms running until June 2026.

Junior Kroupi was an unused substitute in his side's opening match of the new Ligue 1 campaign against Paris Saint-Germain, but he has played in all eight of their games since.

The forward netted his first goal against Nantes last month before scoring a brace in a 3-3 draw with Lyon earlier this month.

Junior Kroupi scored nine times in nine appearances for France Under-17s, while he made his debut for France Under-18s earlier this month.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti pictured on July 23, 2023© Reuters

Barcelona and Real Madrid could be set for a battle in the market for the forward, while the two giants of Spanish football will lock horns on the field this weekend.

Real Madrid are currently top of the La Liga table on 25 points, one point clear of third-placed Barcelona.

Los Blancos will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 victory over Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Barcelona will face Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Barcelona were 1-0 winners over Athletic Bilbao in the league last weekend, but Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Sevilla, with Dani Carvajal cancelling out an own goal from David Alaba at Estadio Ramon.

ID:527318:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4550:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Eli Junior Kroupi

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho on July 30, 2023
Read Next:
Jadon Sancho's Manchester United career is "90% over"
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!