Young Barça striker Iker Bravo turns down club's offer to continue

Iker Bravo's leaving Barcelona. The 16-year-old striker has decided to end his time at the club and start a new chapter in his career elsewhere.

Bravo (2005) didn't train with Barça's Juvenil B team on Monday, the team he's been assigned for this season, and didn't travel with the youth team to Olot for a preseason tour.

His departure represents a huge loss for the club given the young Spanish international's potential and the fact he's one of the few strikers at the club coming through.

Bravo has come through the academy at Barça and was the attacking reference in the U16 team last season, helping them win the league. His goal-scoring prowess means a lot of Europe's top clubs have shown an interest in him.

SPORT have learned that Italian sides Juventus, who previously signed Pablo Moreno and Alejandro Marques from Barça's academy, and Roma want to sign Bravo. 

In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt have also shown an interest. The latter recently signed youngster Fabio Blanco from Valencia. 

Bravo contemplated staying at Barcelona but neither the financial nor sporting offer were enough to convince him to stay. 

Despite his performances last season and his potential, he wasn't included in the Juvenil A squad (u19s) and that's one of the main reasons he has decided to leave.