Arsenal are plotting a transfer bid for teenage World Cup sensation Gilberto Mora, according to reports in Mexico.
Mora, 17, further enhanced his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in world football across Mexico’s campaign, starting three of the co-hosts’ five matches at this summer’s tournament.
The third and final of these starts came in the early hours as England brought Mexico’s journey to a halt, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane inspiring the Three Lions to a famous last-16 victory at the Azteca.
According to Mexican publication El Universal, Mora’s performances have naturally attracted the attentions of some of the top clubs on the planet and the attacker’s team, Club Tijuana, are increasingly resigned to losing their prized possession.
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It’s claimed Tijuana’s hierarchy ‘know it’s only a matter of time’ before Mora leaves Mexico for the bright lights of Europe and they have therefore inserted a £18.4million buyout clause in his contract.
The report adds that Liverpool and Arsenal are ‘already planning to pay that amount to acquire’ Mora, with a potential bidding frenzy in the works between the two Premier League giants.
After witnessing Mora’s showing, former Manchester United and England midfielder Nicky Butt suggested the teen had the talent to play for a club of Barcelona’s stature within two years.
Butt was taken aback by how Mora coped with the extraordinary atmosphere at the Azteca given his tender years.
‘I tell you what, the young kid, the 17 year old, he’ll be at Barcelona in the next two years,’ Butt said on the latest episode of The Good, The Bad & The Football.
‘If you watch him, he’s just a complete and utter Barcelona player. Honestly, he was unbelievable.
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‘Imagine that, 17 and playing in that atmosphere. They brought him off but he was brilliant.’
In August 2024, Mora became the third-youngest player to feature in Mexico’s Liga MX when he debuted for Club Tijuana aged just 15 years, ten months and five days old.
Since then, he has gone on to establish himself as a central squad member, racking up ten goals and two assists in 53 appearances for his boyhood team.
Mora has three years remaining on his current deal with Club Tijuana.
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