Barcelona Scouts Observe 15-Year-Old Norwegian Striker Gabriel Rajkovic Breaking Records
Barcelona has increased its focus on promising young forwards, recently sending scouts to watch 15-year-old Norwegian talent Gabriel Rajkovic. The Catalan club's interest comes as Rajkovic makes waves in senior football with Valerenga, already scoring twice for their first team.
Early Impact at Senior Level
Rajkovic's rise is remarkable given his age. At just 15, he has been making significant strides in Norway’s top league, the Eliteserien, catching the attention of major European clubs. His record-breaking debut goal has sparked comparisons with fellow Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, though Rajkovic is still very early in his career.
Barcelona Scouts Witness Record-Breaking Performance
The club’s scouts were present during Valerenga’s match against Bodø/Glimt on August 8, where Rajkovic scored his first professional goal. This made him the youngest goalscorer in Eliteserien history at 15 years, five months, and 15 days. Despite Valerenga losing 2-1, Rajkovic’s milestone placed him in Norwegian football history.
This achievement is notable compared to Haaland, who was 17 years and 16 days old when he scored his first goal for Molde. Additionally, Rajkovic has played 14 senior matches for Valerenga, providing scouts ample opportunity to assess his capabilities against experienced players.
Interest from Arsenal and Chelsea
Besides Barcelona, Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are also tracking Rajkovic. Yet, Brexit rules prevent English teams from signing him before adulthood. In contrast, Barcelona might be able to sign him once he turns 16 due to his EU citizenship, potentially allowing them to act sooner if they decide to pursue him seriously.
Barcelona’s Strategy for Young Talent
Rajkovic fits well into Barcelona’s evolving recruitment plan, which looks beyond their traditional academy system. Recent additions such as Hamza Abdelkarim, Jesse Bisiwu, and Dany Freire show the club’s commitment to acquiring young prospects with high potential.
At 15, Rajkovic represents a long-term project rather than an immediate solution for the first team. His development remains the main focus, even as his early exploits attract growing interest. For now, Barcelona continues to observe his progress closely, with any future offer depending on how he evolves over the next months.
