As we approach the final phase of the campaign, the uncertainty over Iker Bravo’s future is growing with each passing second.
A product of the Barcelona youth academy, Bravo joined Real Madrid’s youth department in 2022, on a loan deal from Bayer Leverkusen.
His loan term was extended last summer, even though the forward did not do a particularly great job under Raul Gonzalez.
After receiving a demotion to Real Madrid’s Juvenil A side, Bravo has exploded on the scene, emerging as the team’s top goalscorer. His performances have even led to beliefs that Real Madrid might want to activate the option to sign him permanently this coming summer.
Real Madrid unlikely to sign Bravo
However, according to SPORT, Real Madrid are not expected to activate the purchase option available in Iker Bravo’s contract.
The Spanish giants would have had to pay just €8-10 million to secure the services of Bravo on a permanent deal, which in hindsight, sounds like a massive bargain.
But Real Madrid won’t exercise the option owing to a poor relationship between the club and the player. Although Bravo has a good connection with Alvaro Arbeloa, the Juvenil A coach, his attitude has often caused rifts in the dressing room.
Bravo has a particularly poor relationship with Raul Gonzalez, the RM Castilla coach. And without the club legend’s approval, the forward is not going anywhere near the first team.
With that in mind, Real Madrid will not activate Bravo’s purchase clause, meaning the player is all set to return to Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
What’s next for Iker Bravo?
However, it is unlikely Bravo would continue at Leverkusen either. He has already been courted by top clubs across Europe and given the chance, Bayer Leverkusen would offload the player to gain a quick profit.
The Spaniard was reportedly linked with a move to Italian outfit Salernitana earlier. And although his parents stopped the signings, the report from Diario SPORT adds that Italy could end up becoming his likely destination this summer.