Yassir Zabiri’s La Liga Breakthrough Puts Barcelona on Alert
Moroccan forward Yassir Zabiri is rapidly becoming one of the most compelling young stories in Spanish football. The 21-year-old has made an immediate impression with Racing Santander, scoring consistently in La Liga and attracting reported interest from Barcelona sporting director Deco. If his early-season form continues, Zabiri could become a name to watch when the next major transfer windows approach.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barcelona are monitoring the striker as they consider ways to strengthen their attack. Zabiri has scored eight goals in his first 10 league appearances for Racing, an impressive return for a young player adapting to a new club and a demanding competition. His performances have also lifted his estimated market value to around €20 million, roughly double the reported fee Stade Rennais paid to sign him from Famalicão.
A fast start in Spanish football
Zabiri’s goal record has been the headline, but his broader adaptation is equally significant. He has settled quickly into the pace and physical demands of Spanish football, showing an instinct for finding space in the penalty area and turning chances into goals. For a forward still at the beginning of his senior career, that combination of confidence and efficiency has made him stand out.
His latest decisive contribution came against Espanyol. Zabiri scored in Racing’s 2-1 victory, helping the club claim three valuable points after a difficult stretch without a win. The result underlined why his goals matter beyond individual statistics: when Racing need a moment of quality, the Moroccan has increasingly become one of the players capable of providing it.
He has also experienced a memorable milestone at Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou. Zabiri scored there during Racing’s 7-2 defeat to the Catalan side. The result was painful for his team, but the occasion carried personal meaning for the striker, who has said he supported Barcelona as a child. Scoring at the stadium of a club he admired growing up gave the night an unusual emotional edge—and added another detail to the developing story around the player.
Why Barcelona may be interested
Barcelona’s reported attention is based on more than a strong run of finishing. Zabiri offers the profile clubs often seek in a developing forward: youth, room to improve, a growing record of production and experience in a major European league. His age could allow a potential buyer to plan for both the present and the future, while his early success suggests he may not need a lengthy adjustment period if he eventually moves to a larger club.
His background also adds to his appeal. Zabiri finished as the leading scorer at the Under-20 World Cup, which Morocco won last year. That tournament success helped raise his profile and drew the attention of Stade Rennais, who subsequently brought him to France from Famalicão. His progress from international youth football to a productive La Liga loan illustrates how quickly his career has developed.
Still, a strong start does not guarantee that he is ready for a major role at Barcelona. The club would need to assess how his performances hold up over a full season, whether he can contribute when opponents give him less space, and how his style fits the team’s tactical needs. For Zabiri, maintaining his scoring rate while continuing to improve his link-up play and consistency will be important if interest from elite clubs grows.
A transfer complicated by contracts
Even if Barcelona decide to pursue the striker, the route to a deal is far from straightforward. Zabiri is on loan at Racing Santander until June 30, 2027, and the agreement reportedly contains no option for the Spanish club to buy him permanently. His parent club, Stade Rennais, therefore retains control of his registration and his longer-term future.
The French side has further leverage because Zabiri’s contract runs until 2029. Reports indicate that his release clause is above €20 million, a figure that could rise if his performances continue to attract attention. Rennes would not be under immediate pressure to sell, particularly while the player remains under contract for several more seasons.
Those arrangements make a winter transfer especially unlikely. Racing’s loan agreement runs through the current campaign, and the reported release clause gives Rennes a clear mechanism for protecting its position. Any club hoping to move early would need to navigate the interests of the player, his parent club and the team currently benefiting from his goals.
What comes next for Zabiri?
For now, the clearest path is to keep delivering for Racing. A full season of strong performances would give Barcelona and other potential suitors more evidence to assess, while strengthening Rennes’ negotiating position. It would also test whether Zabiri can sustain his output through changes in form, defensive attention and the physical demands of a long campaign.
Barcelona’s reported interest should be treated as an early indication of attention rather than confirmation of a transfer plan. The Catalan club has not publicly announced a bid, and the contractual obstacles mean any move would require careful planning. Nevertheless, the combination of his age, goals and rapid adjustment to La Liga makes Zabiri a credible name for future scouting discussions.
If the Moroccan continues scoring at his current rate, the summer of 2027 could become an important moment in his career, when his Racing loan is due to end. A potential Barcelona move would depend on his continued development, the club’s attacking priorities and Rennes’ willingness to negotiate. Until then, the most useful football prediction is a cautious one: Zabiri’s next steps will be shaped by his performances on the pitch, not by transfer speculation alone.
