Bojan turned down Man Utd and Chelsea at 16; now he's shining for Stoke at 24

Bojan broke into the Barcelona first team in 2007-08 when he was still a teenager, emerging as one of the biggest promises from La Masia in the 21st century. 

But after two good seasons in the first team, Pep Guardiola seemed to lose confidence in him, resulting in the young forward's form slipping. After spells with Roma, AC Milan and Ajax, Bojan is now finding his form again with Stoke City.

The player's father has revealed to the 'Daily Mail' that his son turned down offers from Manchester United and Chelsea when he was 16. He also spoke of Bojan's departure from the Catalan club. 

"I remember United were interested in him when he was 16," Bojan Sr. said. "Chelsea were very serious, too, a year or two later, just before he signed a new deal. Luis Scolari was manager and Frank Arnesen flew out to speak to us. But Bojan only really wanted to play for Barcelona."

In 2011, though, Bojan Krkic became aware that his future was not with Barcelona under Guardiola. "In the title run-in in 2010, he kept [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic on the bench," the player's father continued. "Bojan played, scoring at Sevilla and Tenerife, and they were decisive goals. Then, when the season ended, they signed David Villa."

Although it was the fact Bojan didn't play a single minute in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley that finally forced him to leave. 

His father continued: "In the end, Bojan asked to leave for Roma because Guardiola broke a promise that he would play some part in the Champions League final at Wembley."

Now in England, he's beginning to once again show the type of performances expected from him. "At Stoke, he is playing like an animal," his father stated. "He saves his best for the big games. He loves Mark Hughes and his training sessions are creative. He is playing behind the forward and he has the freedom to express himself but he is fighting for the team, too."

At the moment, things seem to be going well for Bojan Krkic. He still has many years of good football in front of him.