Liverpool could face a battle to sign highly-rated Mexican youngster Gilberto Mora amid reported interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs
Gilberto Mora #10 of the Mexican National Team controls the ball against Colombia
Liverpool are among the European clubs rumored to be interested in Mexico wonderkid Gilberto Mora(Image: Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Liverpool has been handed a major setback in its pursuit of 17-year-old Mexico wonderkid Gilberto Mora, if the latest reports are anything to go by.
The teenager has risen to prominence in his home nation of Mexico with Club Tijuana, having broken into the first-team fold all the way back in 2024. Aged 15, Mora became his club's youngest-ever debutant in Liga MX, as well as the third-youngest player to debut in the division when he came on as a substitute against Santos Laguna back in August 2024.
That season, he went on to make over 30 first-team appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and registering one assist in that time. Last term, he made 22 appearances and scored six, while registering one assist.
Last year, Mora was handed his senior debut for the Mexico national team and, over the summer, he featured in all but one of Mexico's World Cup matches. While he didn't register a goal or an assist at the tournament, he did play a key role in Mexico reaching the Round of 16 before it was ultimately beaten by England.
Unsurprisingly, given his rapid rise to prominence in Mexico, Europe's elite have taken note of his progress and he is rumored to have a number of suitors on the continent. Liverpool has reportedly been monitoring his development and is interested in bringing him to the Premier League.
However, if the latest report from Football Insider is anything to go by, signing the teenager will likely prove a difficult task for the Merseyside club. It has been suggested Mora would prefer to continue his development in Spain, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona also interested in securing his signature.
The article adds that Tijuana is also reportedly seeking a fee in the region of £40 million ($53 million), which is a significant outlay for such a young player who is yet to establish himself in one of Europe's big leagues. It has been suggested his club is considering a sale in the summer of 2027.
Gilberto Mora of Tijuana shoots and scores the team's first goal via penalty during the 6th round match against Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Apertura 2026 Liga MX
Reported Liverpool target Gilberto Mora is said to favor a move to Spain(Image: Photo by Gonzalo Gonzalez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
During the international break, Mora has played just one of Mexico's two games so far. He played 64 minutes and scored the equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Colombia last weekend.
In the draw against Peru a few days later, he was an unused substitute. Mexico is next in action on Sunday with a trip to face the United States.
At club level this season, Mora has started the campaign in promising fashion. Across his seven appearances so far, he has scored five goals and registered one assist.
Liverpool, of course, is not necessarily in the market for reinforcements in attacking midfield, not least because Florian Wirtz occupies the position. That said, the future makeup of the Reds' midfield is not yet clear and possible departures, next summer or beyond, could create a pathway for a talent of Mora's caliber, provided Liverpool's rumored interest is indeed accurate.