Tottenham Hotspur are set to lodge a blockbuster bid for Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi, as Roberto De Zerbi's rampant summer transfer window continues.
The Lilywhites have gone big in the market thus far, signing a number of players in an attempt to reverse their fortunes following back-to-back 17th-place finishes in the Premier League. Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have arrived for a combined £185 million from Newcastle United and West Ham United, respectively, while the likes of Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have joined to bolster the North London club's backline.
Now, attention has turned towards strengthening De Zerbi's attack. A striker is high on the Italian's wishlist, and Kroupi is seemingly the primary target.
While Bournemouth are reluctant to sell their prized asset, Spurs are set to test the Cherries' resolve with a £75million bid. Given how aggressive Tottenham have been in the market so far, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a deal materialise for the young Frenchman.
Shirt Numbers Taken by Tottenham's New Signings So Far
A major squad overhaul means a freshening up in squad numbers. Six players have already arrived at Spurs this summer, with three of them receiving their assigned shirt number already.
Tonali will wear the No.16 shirt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Italian has historically worn eight, but this number is currently taken by Conor Gallagher at Spurs.
Meanwhile, Fernandes has been granted the No.18 shirt, which had been vacant, with Yang Min-hyeok last wearing it in the 2024/25 season. Elsewhere, the other new signings have yet to be assigned a squad number.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who signed from Burnley to compete with the likes of Antonin Kinsky and Guglielmo Vicario, if he stays at the club, is yet to be given a shirt number. Fellow new signings Senesi, Robertson and van Hecke have also yet to be given their new numbers at Spurs.
Robertson has worn 26 throughout his career, although this shirt has been left vacant at Tottenham since Ledley King wore it between 1998 and 2012. While the number hasn't been officially retired, the Scottish left-back isn't expected to be granted this iconic number and may have to settle for something different.
Shirt Numbers Available to Junior Kroupi
If Kroupi does arrive at Spurs, there will not be a host of shirt numbers available to him, at least until some players are shipped out, reflecting the bloated nature of De Zerbi's ensemble. No.2 and No.5 are the only two vacant starting XI numbers, and neither is synonymous with a striker.
Kroupi has worn several different numbers throughout his short career to date, indicating that there isn't a unique one he opts for for a specific reason. Numbers 9, 22, 23, 33, 30 and 18 have all been worn by the 20-year-old in recent years.
The only repeat shirt number in Kroupi's career is 22, which he wore for a spell at Lorient and now at Bournemouth. The No.22 is currently available in N17, and thus, this might be the most obvious choice for the player.
That said, there are plenty more options for him if he does indeed decide to swap the south coast for North London. Number 12 is available after Emerson Royal deserted it when leaving Tottenham in 2024.
This shirt has been worn by the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker at Spurs, making it a potentially appealing shirt for Kroupi to choose.
Richarlison Exit Could Give Kroupi What he Wants
Classic striker number nine shirt is currently donned by Richarlison, who is unlikely to be willing to give it up to a young player arriving from Bournemouth. However, there are question marks over the Brazilian's future in north London, with the potential that he could leave the club this summer.
No other numbers under 30 are available, so if Kroupi opts against 12 or 22, he may have to settle for an unconventionally high shirt number. No.32 is vacant, and carries some significance at Tottenham, as iconic left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto wore it in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Above that, 34, 36 and 39 are all available numbers under 40. Above that, a handful of interesting shirt number worn by players at Tottenham are up for grabs. No.62, worn by Harry Winks for a season, and No.81, worn by Andros Townsend, are both unconventional options for Kroupi to consider.
Available shirt numbers for Kroupi at Tottenham: 2, 5, 12, 22, 32, 34, 36, 39, 41, 42, 43, and several more above 45.