Barcelona Scouts Track 15-Year-Old Norwegian Striker Who Surpassed Erling Haaland’s Record

Barcelona has increased its focus on a promising teenage striker from Norway. Scouts from the Catalan club traveled to watch 15-year-old Gabriel Rajkovic, who plays for Valerenga and has already made waves by scoring at senior level.

Rajkovic's Early Impact at Senior Level

The young forward has impressed by netting two goals for Valerenga's first team despite his age. His swift rise has drawn attention from several top European clubs, with Barcelona joining the list of those following his progress closely.

His breakthrough is notable because he started scoring in the senior league at an unusually young age. This achievement inevitably invites comparisons to Erling Haaland, although Rajkovic is still at the start of his journey.

Scouts Witness Historic Performance

The interest from Barcelona became tangible when their scouts attended Valerenga’s match against Bodø/Glimt on August 8. On that evening, Rajkovic scored his first professional goal, becoming the youngest scorer in the history of Norway's Eliteserien at 15 years, five months, and 15 days.

Despite Valerenga losing 2-1, Rajkovic's goal marked a record in Norwegian football. The comparison to Haaland stands out since Haaland was 17 years and 16 days old when he scored his first goal for Molde, meaning Rajkovic reached this milestone nearly two years earlier.

Rajkovic has already appeared 14 times for Valerenga's senior squad, giving scouts ample opportunity to evaluate his skills against experienced players.

Interest from Arsenal and Chelsea Adds Competition

Barcelona is not alone in tracking Rajkovic. Premier League giants like Arsenal and Chelsea are also monitoring his development. However, post-Brexit regulations prevent English clubs from signing him before adulthood, while Barcelona might be able to recruit him at 16 due to his EU citizenship.

This legal difference could give Barcelona an edge if they decide to pursue Rajkovic seriously.

Barcelona’s Strategy of Pursuing Young Talent

Rajkovic fits well with Barcelona's recent strategy of scouting talented youngsters beyond their traditional academy system. Recent signings such as Hamza Abdelkarim, Jesse Bisiwu, and Dany Freire show the club’s focus on long-term potential.

At just 15, Rajkovic would represent a future project rather than an immediate addition to the first team. His development remains the priority, even as his early success draws increasing attention.

For now, Barcelona is watching closely to see how Rajkovic grows over the coming months, which will determine if they make a formal offer.