Bournemouth's preparations for the upcoming season have hit a significant setback with the news that forward Junior Kroupi will be sidelined for approximately three months due to a foot injury.

The injury occurred during the Cherries’ pre-season tour in Austria, forcing Kroupi to undergo successful surgery upon his return to England. The highly-rated French prospect, who had been attracting interest from several clubs this summer, is now expected to miss the start of Bournemouth's maiden Europa League campaign.

Key details include:

• Injury Duration: Expected to be out for three to four months.
• Previous Season Performance: Kroupi scored 13 goals, contributing significantly to Bournemouth finishing sixth in the league, securing their first-ever continental football.
• Interest from Other Clubs: Notable Premier League rivals such as Tottenham and Arsenal had expressed interest in the 20-year-old.

Despite the injury, Bournemouth remains resolute in their stance that Kroupi is not for sale this summer, alongside midfielder Alex Scott and Brazilian winger Rayan. The club is committed to retaining Kroupi to support new head coach Marco Rose in his inaugural season at Vitality Stadium.