Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United have launched efforts to sign 17-year-old Mexican midfielder Gilberto Mora from Club Tijuana.
His standout performances at the 2026 World Cup have attracted widespread attention.
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Liverpool has made direct contact with the player's representatives.
Manchester United is pursuing an aggressive early move to bolster its midfield after losing Casemiro and suffering a knee injury to Manuel Ugarte.
The two English clubs face immense competition from top European sides. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, Ajax, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan are all interested.
Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, and Benfica are actively leading formal approaches.
International transfer rules prohibit Mora from moving abroad until he turns 18 on October 14, 2026.
This allows Tijuana to leverage his contract, which runs through 2029 and includes a structured release clause with a valuation near $25 million.
Abreu's Take on Mora's Future
Tijuana head coach Sebastián "Loco" Abreu addressed the speculation during a televised interview with Línea de 4 on TUDN.
He emphasized the player's high value and the human side of the potential transfer.
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"His value will be high, yes. It’ll be the biggest in Mexican soccer history, absolutely.
But there’s also the human side. Xolos — a club outside the national spotlight — would be selling a kid raised here since age 10.
That has value too. So let’s stop saying his price will keep him from leaving.
That’s not how this will go," said Abreu.
Abreu also outlined the tactical role European suitors should expect. "The coach who gets him must be ready.
His physical condition will matter. If they want a player who runs box‑to‑box nonstop, Gil Mora isn’t that guy.
But if they want someone who roams freely, breaks tactical lines, and creates chaos, they’ll enjoy him to the fullest," he added.
While Mora prefers a potential move to Real Madrid, he remains focused on his current responsibilities at Tijuana.
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Clubs continue refining their recruitment pitches ahead of his 18th birthday.
