Liverpool and Arsenal’s pursuit of Gilberto Mora may have become a little clearer. There are fresh claims from Mexico suggesting Club Tijuana are already preparing for the teenager’s eventual move to Europe.
We have covered the growing interest in the 17-year-old throughout the World Cup. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been linked.
Now there is a fresh development from back home – and this one is about the money.
Tijuana preparing for inevitable exit
According to Mexico’s biggest newspaper El Universal, Tijuana’s board now accept it is only a matter of time before Gilberto Mora leaves for Europe.
Because of that, the club are said to be putting a release clause in place worth around €21.3m (£18.4m).
The report goes a step further, claiming Liverpool and Arsenal are already planning to pay that amount in order to secure the midfielder’s signature.
There is no indication over when either club would make such a move. However, El Universal presents both Premier League sides as the clubs most prepared to meet Tijuana’s demands.
Different figures emerging
Gilberto Mora
The latest claims also represent a notable shift from previous reports. Only a few days ago, Tuttomercatoweb stated Tijuana wanted €40m (£34.5m) to sell Mora. Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were all credited with interest.
El Universal’s figure is considerably lower. However, it specifically refers to a release clause the Mexican side are preparing rather than simply repeating an asking price.
Whether the final cost proves to be closer to €40m or around the new €21.3m figure remains to be seen.
What appears increasingly consistent, however, is the expectation that Mora’s World Cup has accelerated the race for his signature.
Reports from multiple countries continue to link Premier League clubs with the Mexican youngster, and Liverpool and Arsenal are now the latest English sides presented as being ready to put serious money on the table once the opportunity arises.