Barcelona have intensified their pursuit of Gabriel Rajkovic, the 15-year-old Norwegian striker at Valerenga, with club scouts attending the Eliteserien side’s match against Bodø/Glimt on August 8. That evening, Rajkovic scored his first professional goal, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Norwegian top-flight history at 15 years, five months and 15 days, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Record-breaking breakthrough ahead of Haaland’s timeline
Rajkovic’s milestone carries particular weight given the Norwegian talent he follows. When Erling Haaland scored his first goal for Molde, he was 17 years and 16 days old—nearly two years older than Rajkovic at the same achievement. The comparison underscores the exceptional speed of the teenager’s ascent, though the match itself ended in a 2-1 defeat for Valerenga.
Beyond that single strike, Rajkovic has already featured in 14 senior appearances for his club despite his birth year of 2011, offering scouts a meaningful sample of his capabilities against established opposition. His rapid progression from academy prospect to first-team contributor has triggered monitoring from multiple elite European sides.
Arsenal and Chelsea watch from afar due to post-Brexit rules
Barcelona’s advantage extends beyond tactical interest. Arsenal and Chelsea are also tracking Rajkovic’s development, yet English clubs face a regulatory barrier: post-Brexit regulations prevent them from signing players before they reach adulthood. Barcelona, by contrast, could potentially move for the teenager once he turns 16 because of his EU citizenship—a timing edge that could prove decisive if the Catalan club’s scouts’ observations crystallise into a formal offer.
Why Barcelona’s scouting mission reflects their evolving recruitment model
Rajkovic’s emergence fits directly into Barcelona’s repositioned talent-acquisition strategy. The club has deliberately expanded beyond reliance on their academy, with recent signings including Hamza Abdelkarim, Jesse Bisiwu and Dany Freire demonstrating the breadth of their international scouting network. The Norwegian represents another long-term development prospect rather than an immediate squad contributor—a profile Barcelona has increasingly prioritised as part of their rebuild.
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Whether Barcelona’s initial interest translates into a concrete approach remains contingent on Rajkovic’s continued trajectory over the coming months. For now, the teenager remains in the monitoring phase, with his next performances likely to determine whether the Catalan scouts’ visit becomes a precursor to formal negotiations.
