Barcelona Scouts Eye 15-Year-Old Norwegian Striker Gabriel Rajkovic Who Broke Haaland’s Record

Barcelona has intensified its focus on a promising teenage forward. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan club dispatched scouts to watch 15-year-old Norwegian striker Gabriel Rajkovic in action.

Rajkovic is already making waves at senior level with Valerenga, having scored twice for their first team. His remarkable early success has grabbed the attention of several top European clubs, with Barcelona among those closely tracking his progress.

Record-Breaking Start and Haaland Comparisons

The young striker’s rapid rise is especially notable given his age. On August 8, Barcelona scouts witnessed Rajkovic score his first professional goal during Valerenga's match against Bodø/Glimt. At just 15 years, five months, and 15 days old, he became the youngest goalscorer in Eliteserien history.

Though Valerenga lost 2-1 that night, Rajkovic etched his name in Norwegian football records. This feat invites comparisons to Erling Haaland, who netted his first goal for Molde at 17 years and 16 days—making Rajkovic's milestone considerably earlier.

Despite his youth, Rajkovic has appeared 14 times for Valerenga’s senior side, providing scouts with ample opportunity to assess his abilities against experienced players.

Interest from Premier League Clubs

Barcelona isn’t the only club monitoring Rajkovic. English Premier League teams such as Arsenal and Chelsea are also following his development. Brexit-related rules, however, restrict English clubs from signing him before adulthood. Barcelona could potentially secure Rajkovic's signature once he turns 16, thanks to his EU citizenship, allowing them to act sooner than their English rivals if they choose.

Part of Barcelona’s Youth Recruitment Strategy

Rajkovic’s emergence aligns with Barcelona’s growing tendency to scout talent beyond their traditional academy system. Recent signings like Hamza Abdelkarim, Jesse Bisiwu, and Dany Freire reflect this approach.

At 15, Rajkovic represents a long-term investment rather than an immediate solution for the first team. His ongoing development remains the priority, even as his record-breaking start stirs interest.

For now, Barcelona continues to observe the Norwegian prospect closely. Whether these observations turn into a formal offer will depend on how Rajkovic performs in the coming months.