Official | Bournemouth strike last-minute deal and sign Eli Junior Kroupi | OneFootball

Eli Junior Kroupi (18) has joined Bournemouth after a deal was struck with FC Lorient at the 11th hour, the Premier League side have confirmed.

This deal has been on and off throughout the day. Bournemouth, who share the same owner as Ligue 2 side Lorient, had been trying to bring the France youth international to the club in recent days. The aim from Bournemouth was to buy the player with only a year and a half left on his contract before loaning him back to Lorient, however, talks stalled, leading to RMC Sport reporting that Kroupi would not join the Cherries before the transfer deadline.

However, with the French transfer window now closed, RMC Sport reported that there has been a breakthrough in negotiations and that an agreement between Bournemouth and Lorient had been reached, with under one hour to go until the transfer window closes in the UK. Bournemouth confirmed the signing of Kroupi shortly after.

The transfer is worth €12m plus bonuses, as per RMC Sport. Kroupi will then be loaned back to Lorient, where he will complete the season. Les Merlus are top of the table in Ligue 2 in their bid to return to Ligue 1.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle