Tottenham Hotspur prioritised Premier League-proven commodities in the summer, and it remains to be seen if their transfer strategy remains the same or changes.

Spurs have struggled to score goals, managing only six in seven games. No wonder the club bosses are scouring the market for strikers ahead of the winter transfer window. The Lilywhites are reportedly keeping an eye on Club Brugge sensation Nicolo Tresoldi, while interest in Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi has not faded.

Eli Junior Kroupi was Roberto De Zerbi’s primary No.9 target in the summer, but a metatarsal injury sustained in Bournemouth’s pre-season tour ended Tottenham’s pursuit of the player. The Lilywhites aren’t the only club interested in the 20-year-old; Arsenal and Barcelona remain in the mix for his signature.

Tottenham target Bournemouth forward could play his first game of the season against Manchester United

The Frenchman was a revelation in the Premier League last term, impressing with his speed, movement, link-up play and clinical finishing. He broke the long-standing record for the most goals by a teenager in his debut Premier League season, netting 13 times in 33 appearances.

Kroupi has yet to feature this season as he’s been rehabilitating after undergoing foot surgery. In the last couple of weeks, the youngster has been edging closer to a return to action. In midweek, Bournemouth boss Marco Rose claimed that Kroupi has returned to training and could feature against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“Junior is back into team training but not on the UEFA list, but maybe we can have him for some minutes in Manchester,” Marco Rose said in his press conference (h/t ESPN FC) before Bournemouth’s Europa League win over AC Milan.

Bournemouth do not want to part ways with Kroupi in January

It has been widely believed that replacing Richarlison with another No.9 is Tottenham’s top priority in January, which is not surprising, given that Omar Marmoush and Dominic Solanke have scored just one league goal each so far this season. And Spurs could very well revive their interest in Kroupi if he makes a comeback from his foot injury with a bang.

The French youth international, who can play in various attacking positions, helped the Cherries clinch a Europa League spot last season. His potential first outing of the season against Manchester United will be of particular interest to Tottenham.

However, Bournemouth are not willing to sell him mid-season. Rose wants to keep Kroupi and work with him, and the south coast outfit does not have immediate pressure to sell the talented youngster, thanks to him being tied until 2030. This will make it tricky for Tottenham to persuade the Cherries to part ways with their valuable long-term asset.