"A culture I don't know": €116m-rated rising star turns down Ivory Coast

Bournemouth forward Éli Junior Kroupi, 20, told DAZN that he is aiming to represent France rather than Ivory Coast. Born and raised in France, he has played for the French youth teams and said he could not see himself joining a culture he does not know. Bournemouth reportedly valued him at €116 million during the last transfer window; he scored 13 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season and is recovering from an injury. His father is from Sassandra, Ivory Coast, and made two appearances for the Elephants between 2001 and 2005.