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Arsenal are targeting Bournemouth\u2019s Junior Kroupi this summer as Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andre Berta have been told they can make one \u2018marquee signing\u2019.<\/p>\n
The Gunners secured their first Premier League title in 22 years on Tuesday night and it was Kroupi who delivered the telling blow<\/strong> as the teenager scored his 13th goal of the season in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City.<\/p>\n The beautiful curled finish into the top corner of Gianluigi Donnarumma\u2019s net was a timely reminder of the 19-year-old\u2019s quality ahead of a summer transfer window in which plenty of big clubs will be chasing his signature.<\/p>\n In denying City the title, Kroupi also broke the league record held by Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane for the most goals scored by a teenager in a debut season and The Guardian<\/em> have now confirmed<\/strong> that he\u2019s a \u2018target\u2019 for Arsenal, who are \u2018well advanced with plans to strengthen the squad\u2019 have \u2018the funds in place to make a marquee signing to rival the purchase of Declan Rice for a then-British record \u00a3105m in 2023\u2019.<\/p>\n While Kroupi is unlikely to cost that much, interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea \u2013 both of whom have scouted the Frenchman \u2013 could spark a bidding war to see Bournemouth land more than their \u00a380m valuation.<\/p>\n The report claims that \u2018there is unlikely to be the same outlay on players as the \u00a3250m Arsenal spent last summer\u2019 but co-chairs, Stan and Josh Kroenke, vowed in their programme notes ahead of the win over Burnley that \u2018there will be no standing still when the season ends\u2019.<\/p>\n Kroupi is \u2018regarded as an option for the left of Arsenal\u2019s attack as someone who could compete with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gy\u00f6keres for a central role\u2019.<\/p>\n A new forward is said to be Arteta\u2019s \u2018priority\u2019 this summer with Gabriel Martinelli \u2018allowed to leave if a suitable offer arrived\u2019.<\/p>\n Paris Saint-Germain\u2019s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would be the \u2018dream signing\u2019 but the Ligue 1 giants are very unlikely to be open to his sale and while there is \u2018strong interest\u2019 in Juli\u00e1n Alvarez, Atletico Madrid may be asking for too high a price for the Argentina international.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Mourinho and Keane-angering pundit among those who believed in Arteta and Arsenal at their worst<\/strong><\/p>\n But our friends at TEAMtalk<\/em> have revealed<\/strong> a \u2018significant boost\u2019 for the Gunners in their chase of Alvarez.<\/p>\n With the asking price almost certain to hit nine figures, TEAMtalk insist that Atletico Madrid \u2018would be open to considering player-plus-cash proposals\u2019, while Arsenal, for their part, would also be \u2018open\u2019 to including Gabriel Martinelli to sweeten the deal.<\/p>\n PSG were previously thought to be the frontrunners to land Alvarez but Arsenal are now \u2018firmly in the race\u2019 with the summer fast approaching.<\/p>\n MAILBOX: Arsenal cash in receipts on Neville, Carragher (and Stewie) after transformation \u2018without sugar daddy\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\n\u2018Significant boost\u2019 for Alvarez chase<\/h2>\n