Barcelona Scouts Eye 15-Year-Old Norwegian Striker Gabriel Rajkovic, Breaking Erling Haaland’s Record

Barcelona has increased its focus on a promising teenage forward from Norway. Scouts from the Catalan club recently attended a match to watch 15-year-old striker Gabriel Rajkovic, who has already made waves by breaking records previously held by Erling Haaland.

Early Senior-Level Impact at Valerenga

Despite his young age, Rajkovic is impressing at the senior level with Valerenga. He has even scored twice for the first team, showing a remarkable ability to compete against seasoned professionals.

This rapid progress has caught the attention of multiple top European clubs, with Barcelona among those tracking his development closely.

Record-Breaking Debut and Historic Milestone

Barcelona’s interest became more concrete when their scouts were present at Valerenga’s game against Bodø/Glimt on August 8. On that day, Rajkovic netted his first professional goal, becoming the youngest player ever to score in the Norwegian Eliteserien. He was 15 years, five months, and 15 days old.

Though Valerenga lost 2-1, Rajkovic's achievement secured his place in Norwegian football history.

The comparison with Haaland is striking because Haaland scored his first senior goal at 17 years and 16 days old, making Rajkovic’s milestone notably earlier.

Rajkovic has already appeared 14 times for Valerenga's senior squad despite being born in 2011, providing scouts with a solid idea of how he handles experienced competition.

Interest From Premier League Giants Arsenal and Chelsea

It’s not just Barcelona watching Rajkovic. English clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are also tracking his progress. But Brexit-related regulations complicate matters for them. Under current UK rules, English teams cannot sign Rajkovic until he becomes an adult.

Barcelona, benefiting from his EU citizenship, could make a move as soon as he turns 16, potentially giving them an advantage in any transfer pursuit.

Barcelona's Strategy for Recruiting Top Young Talent

Rajkovic’s rise fits well with Barcelona’s approach to recruitment. The club is increasingly scouting young talent outside their traditional academy. Recent signings like Hamza Abdelkarim, Jesse Bisiwu, and Dany Freire illustrate this broad scouting strategy.

At 15, Rajkovic represents a long-term project rather than an immediate addition to the first team. His development remains the priority, despite the buzz generated by his record-breaking start.

For now, Barcelona seems content to observe Rajkovic closely. Whether this interest will turn into a formal offer depends on how he evolves over the next few months.