Arsenal have tabled a bid to hijack Liverpool's move to sign Mexico sensation Gilberto Mora this summer, according to Azteca Puebla.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad in the current window after winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years last time out, while they also reached the Champions League final but suffered defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout.
Mikel Arteta has made a forward and a midfielder a priority ahead of the new season, and it has now emerged that they have been mightily impressed by the teenage sensation's form during the World Cup.
Arsenal Table Bid for Gilberto Mora
Gilberto Mora Mexico World Cup 2026REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
Mora, who has been described as the next Pedri and 'absolutely fearless', has shone during the summer tournament, starting regularly in central midfielder under Javier Aguirre, despite being just 17 years old.
It's now expected that he will be on the move during the window following Mexico's elimination from the tournament, with his agent Rafaela Pimenta admitting that she expects a deal to happen.
Liverpool made the first move by tabling a $20m (£14.9m) offer for the teenager, but it has now emerged that Arsenal have gazumped them and made a $25m (£18.6m) bid to take him to north London instead.
The Gunners have made it clear that their top target for the midfield is Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, but a deal for him looks difficult due to the Magpies' demands.
However, it's unclear if Mora is seen as an alternative or if the deal is one they want to do alongside the Brazilian. Their offer has been described as 'stratospheric', but no final decision on his next destination has been made yet.
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Gilberto Mora (Mexico)IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the transfer window so far, with the strongest links coming to Guimaraes, Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola, although nothing is believed to be advanced at this stage.
The closest they have come to getting a deal done was with Jeremy Monga, before they were hijacked by Man City after opting against raising their offer. Now, Mora could be the perfect antidote to that flop, considering his first-team experience level.
Despite being 17, it's clear that Mora is capable of making the step up to the top level and making an immediate imapct, and with Christian Norgaard expected to depart, replacing him with a younger player could be the perfect remedy.
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