Arsenal battle Chelsea for record-breaking 'new Martin Odegaard'

News

Tom Weber | Writer

Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs keeping a close eye on Valerenga sensation Gabriel Rajkovic.

The young winger has become one of the most exciting talents in Scandinavia. Rajkovic was promoted to Valerenga's first team in January, aged just 14, and he is now a regular fixture for the senior side.

Having turned 15 in February, he made his competitive debut in March, aged 15 years and 20 days. He thus became the youngest-ever debutant in the Eliteserien, breaking the record previously held by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

Unsurprisingly, given his age, Rajkovic is primarily a substitute for Valerenga at this stage, but he is quickly making a name for himself. With his minutes increasing in recent games, so too has his impact.

He bagged his first league goal against Bodo/Glimt in early August, which saw him rewarded with his first start in the subsequent game, a crazy 5-5 draw with Aalesunds FK. He notched an assist in his next start against Molde and then bagged his second goal in a 20-minute cameo versus Sarpsborg last week.

Rajkovic emerging on the radar of Premier League clubs

A Norway youth international with Serbian roots, Rajkovic's emergence has not gone unnoticed in the Premier League, with TEAMtalk claiming that numerous clubs have compiled detailed scouting reports on the teenager.

Obviously, Rajkovic would not be able to move to the United Kingdom until he turns 18, but this is not deterring his English suitors. Arsenal and Chelsea are among his most notable admirers.

Both clubs had scouts in attendance when Rajkovic scored against Bodo/Glimt and have "watched him extensively throughout the summer." What makes him particularly attractive is his build and versatility.

Although originally a winger, Rajkovic has also played as a striker at times this season, made possible by the fact that he is almost 6 ft 2 in, which is fairly tall for a wide player. His future may therefore lie in a more central position.

Rajkovic prefers to use his left foot, but he is generally regarded as being ambipedal. All of this is to say that the youngster is an incredibly unique player. This is hammered home by a scout who is quoted in the report as saying: "It is hard to liken him to anyone."

Rather than being Norway's next Odegaard, Rajkovic seems to be a more physical Ousmane Dembele-type of attacker. At this stage, the teenager will continue his development at Valerenga, but this likely won't be the last we hear of him.