Barcelona whizkid Fran Alvarez has been snapped up by AS Monaco.

The 19 year-old was regarded among the best prospects to come through the La Masia system before he was hit heavily by serious injury over the last two years.

Alvarez was too old to continue with the Barca youth team this new season, but was offered fresh terms by the Spanish giants.

Barca were willing to secure Alvarez to a new deal ahead of placing him on-loan at a lower division club to continue his development.

But the teen rejected the proposal and signed with Monaco yesterday.