Following a painful 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou in the tenth round of the Spanish league, Barcelona’s management and the coaching staff led by Hansi Flick have begun considering strengthening the attacking line in preparation for the coming stages of the season. According to recent Spanish media reports, the Catalan club is closely monitoring the performances of the young Moroccan striker Yasser Zabiri (or Yassir Zabiri), the star of Racing Santander and the Morocco national team.
Zabiri, 21, born in Marrakech, has been delivering exceptional levels since the start of the season. He has scored 8 goals in 10 league matches, making him one of the most prominent scoring surprises in the league and a strong contender for the top scorer list alongside big names such as Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. His brilliance has not been limited to numbers, but has also included his ability to move into spaces, finish attacks with high efficiency, and adapt quickly to the demands of Spanish football.
Zabiri joined Racing Santander on loan from French club Stade Rennais, after a promising career that began at the Mohammed VI Academy, then Portuguese side Famalicão. He won the Silver Ball at the 2025 Under-20 World Cup with the Morocco national team, after scoring decisive goals that contributed to the Atlas Lions winning the title. He has become an international with the first team and is regarded as one of the most prominent emerging Moroccan talents.
What makes the file more interesting is Zabiri’s emotional connection to Barcelona. The player has previously stated explicitly that his childhood dream is to wear the Catalan shirt, noting his admiration for a legend like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Antoine Griezmann. He even scored against Barcelona during Racing’s 7-2 defeat at Camp Nou last September, and described the moment as “the best goal of his life” despite the result.
According to the website “Vixajes” and other reports, sporting director Deco is closely monitoring Zabiri’s performances, considering him a potential option for upcoming markets. His market value has risen to around €20 million, nearly double what Rennais paid to sign him. However, his contractual situation (a loan until June 2027 with Rennais, who own him until 2029) makes any immediate deal in the winter transfer window difficult, but the Catalan club has him on the radar for the medium term.
This monitoring comes in the context of Barcelona’s need for additional attacking options after the Clásico defeat, which revealed some gaps in speed and finishing against an opponent possessing players like Kylian Mbappé. Flick has previously expressed admiration for other Moroccan players such as Abde Ezzalzouli, but Zabiri currently represents the most prominent jewel on the Spanish scene.
The season remains long, and competition for such talents is fierce. But after the defeat to their traditional rival, it seems Barcelona have begun opening their eyes early to a Moroccan star who could be part of their future project.
