Real Madrid are reportedly leading the race to secure the signature of Bayer Leverkusen’s teenage sensation Iker Bravo, a target for Atletico Madrid.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are involved in the race to sign Spanish centre-forward Iker Bravo from Bayer Leverkusen. The 17-year-old attacking prodigy graduated from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before moving to Germany last summer.
Iker Bravo has played across different age groups for Bayer Leverkusen, including the senior team. For the under-19s, the teenage sensation has scored seven goals in 14 matches, on top of three assists while also finding the back of the net three times in as many matches for the under-17 side. For the first team, he has made two appearances, coming off the bench both times.
Bravo has been in stupendous form for the Spain under-17 side as well. He has represented them on 14 occasions, scoring 11 goals in the process. The teenage attacking prodigy’s exceptional performances have caught the eyes of both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who are eager to sign him up this summer.
Atletico Madrid were reportedly the first to show interest and reportedly had an agreement with the player over a summer move. But following Real Madrid’s entry into the transfer saga, the Rojiblancos have even increased their offer to Bayer Leverkusen.
However, the report by AS now claims that Real Madrid have taken the lead in the race to sign the 17-year-old striker. Bravo is said to be more interested in a move to the Santiago Bernabeu as it is ‘economically’ and ‘sportingly’ a better option than Atletico Madrid.
Should Bravo make the move to Real Madrid, he is expected to join their Castilla side. If Bayer Leverkusen and Madrid do not agree on a permanent transfer of the player, another option is to acquire a percentage of his rights, which Los Blancos do not want. There is also the option of including performance-based bonuses.
There is increasing optimism in all parties involved that Bravo will return to Spain, and for now, it looks like he will join Real Madrid this summer. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has confirmed Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid’s interest in Bravo.
