According to Mundo Deportivo, FC Barcelona has been linked to signing Gambian-born Swedish talent Momodou Sonko via the Swedish tabloid Expressen. Last season, the 18-year-old winger was the breakthrough star of Sweden’s premier flight, the Allsvenskan.

Following his promotion to the BK Hacken first squad, the Gambian prodigy netted seven goals and supplied four assists, earning him the domestic championship’s Best Young Player award.

He also scored in the Europa League group stage, and his performances have caught the attention of a number of big clubs, including Premier League title hopefuls Liverpool and Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.

Barcelona is reportedly among the clubs interested in signing the forward, who is under contract until 2025.

According to Mundo Deportivo, BK Hacken are “already rubbing their hands together with the hypothetical sale of their young star.”

To acquire him, a European opponent would have to pay at least $9.8 million (€9 million), which would be a record sale for the club, which is now third in the Allsvenskan.

Despite their current financial difficulties, Barca is capable of paying such a price.

They paid three times as much on soon-to-be ex-Athletico Paranense striker Vitor Roque, who will cross the Atlantic from Brazil in January, and are apparently willing to pay a similar price to River Plate for the ‘new Messi’ Claudio Echeverri.