Barcelona Scouts Track 15-Year-Old Norwegian Striker Breaking Erling Haaland's Record
Barcelona has intensified its interest in emerging teenage talent by sending scouts to observe Norwegian striker Gabriel Rajkovic, who plays for Valerenga. The 15-year-old forward has already made a strong impact at senior level, scoring twice for the first team.
Record-Breaking Debut in Norway
Rajkovic made history on August 8 when he became the youngest scorer in Eliteserien, Norway's top division, netting his first professional goal at just 15 years, five months, and 15 days old during a match against Bodø/Glimt. Although Valerenga lost 2-1, Rajkovic’s milestone marked him as an exceptional prospect.
This achievement invites comparisons with Erling Haaland, who scored his first senior goal for Molde at 17 years and 16 days old. Rajkovic has already appeared 14 times for Valerenga’s senior side despite being born in 2011, offering a glimpse of his ability against seasoned opponents.
Other Clubs Also Monitoring Rajkovic
Besides Barcelona, Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are keeping tabs on the young striker. Due to post-Brexit regulations, English clubs cannot sign players under 18 from abroad, while Barcelona could potentially secure Rajkovic once he turns 16 thanks to his EU citizenship. This gives the Catalan club an advantage in pursuing him earlier if they choose.
Barcelona’s Strategy to Find Future Stars
Rajkovic fits into Barcelona’s wider recruitment approach of scouting promising young players beyond their academy. Recent signings such as Hamza Abdelkarim, Jesse Bisiwu, and Dany Freire highlight this strategy. The club views Rajkovic as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate first-team player, focusing on nurturing his talent over time.
For now, Barcelona is watching closely to see how Rajkovic’s development progresses before deciding whether to make a formal offer in the coming months.
