Real Madrid fans have long demanded a backup striker for Karim Benzema, someone who could offer decent output in his absence and check the boxes that Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz have failed to. And it looks that the club has finally addressed the matter and pursued a signing up front.
As reported by AS, Iker Bravo is set to join Real Madrid. The European champions have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the Spanish striker. He will arrive on loan with a purchase option of close to €6 million. The only thing missing right now is FIFA’s permission to complete the deal.
Bravo is a 17-year-old Spanish wonderkid, currently playing for Bayer Leverkusen, who captivated Real Madrid enough to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu. Interestingly, he was part of La Masia before.
Exactly who is Bravo though and what does he bring to the table that impressed Real Madrid so much?
Bravo might be the ideal striker Real Madrid have been waiting for
The Spaniard began his career at Barcelona’s La Masia at the age of five, but he recently moved to Bayer Leverkusen in July 2021.
Since joining the German club, he has scored 10 goals and provided 3 assists in 17 appearances for the U17 and U19 teams, according to stats from Transfermarkt. It earned Bravo his senior debut.
His coaches from both the youth and senior teams have been effusive in their praise of the Spaniard, and deservedly so. His resume is incredibly impressive for a 17-year-old.
Bravo, despite his young age, already has shown his versatility, as he can play as a centre-forward, attacking midfielder, and second striker.
His finishing skills, off-the-ball mobility, and ability to drop deep, make him one of the best players in every youth team he plays for and yield results almost instantly. His physicality allows him to engage in duels and protect the ball, an attribute he may have honed further in the physically demanding game played in Germany.
Iker is a highly unpredictable player with the ball at his feet, having scored a range of impressive goals. At both La Masia and Bayer Leverkusen, he was well-known for his ability to link up with midfielders and wingers.
Bravo won’t be offered a position in the first-team right away because Real Madrid want to give him time to develop further under the watchful eye of Raul at Castilla. And the former club captain knows a thing or two about putting the ball in the back of the net.