Gabriel Rajkovic was promoted to Valerenga's first-team squad in January this year. He was 14 years old. By March, when he turned 15, he had signed a new contract committing him to the Norwegian club until 2028, and by now he has 14 senior appearances, three goals, and one assist to his name.
That senior exposure has made him one of the most watched teenagers in European football. According to a report from TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the race for the winger, adding their name to a list that already includes Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The report says Arsenal and Chelsea are understood to be leading the charge, having compiled a detailed dossier on Rajkovic after extensive scouting. Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also watched him in recent weeks.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway. His development at Valerenga, where he has already played senior football at an age when most players his age are still in youth academies, has drawn attention across the continent. Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
The numbers become more telling when his age is taken into account. He has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates. That he has already broken into the Valerenga first team and produced goals and assists at senior level has made him a rare commodity, and the list of clubs tracking him reflects that.
Real Madrid's interest is notable given the club's recent track record with young signings. They have made a habit of moving early for players they believe have the potential to reach the top, and Rajkovic fits that profile. But the competition is significant. Arsenal and Chelsea are both said to have done detailed work on him, and the Premier League clubs have all sent scouts to watch him in recent weeks. Real Madrid could face a difficult fight if they decide to step up their interest.
The report does not specify which clubs have made formal contact or whether Valerenga have received any bids. It says only that the clubs are monitoring him and that Arsenal and Chelsea are leading the chase. Whether any of them have moved beyond the scouting stage remains unconfirmed.
What is clear is that Rajkovic's trajectory has been steep. Promoted to the first team in January at 14, signed to a long-term contract in March at 15, and already a regular contributor at senior level, he has moved faster than most players his age. The senior appearances he has made for Valerenga are not token minutes. He has scored three goals and assisted one in 14 matches, which suggests he is not just being given experience but is actually contributing.
The interest from so many clubs in one player at this age is unusual. Most 15-year-olds, even highly rated ones, do not attract the attention of ten of Europe's biggest clubs. Rajkovic has, and the fact that he is already playing senior football in Norway appears to be the reason. His performances have been watched by scouts from across the Premier League and La Liga, and the report indicates that the watching is not casual. Clubs are compiling dossiers, sending scouts, and tracking his progress closely.
Real Madrid's involvement adds another layer. The Spanish club has been active in the market for young talent in recent years, and their interest in Rajkovic fits that pattern. Whether they can convince him to move to Spain, or whether Arsenal or Chelsea can win the race, remains to be seen. The report says signing him will not be easy given the number of clubs involved.
For now, Rajkovic remains a Valerenga player, contracted until 2028. The clubs circling him are doing what clubs do with young players they rate: watching, scouting, and preparing. The report from TeamTalk confirms that Real Madrid have joined that group, and that Arsenal and Chelsea are currently the most advanced. The rest is still open.
According to Yahoo Sports.