Gilberto Mora, Mexico player
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
Barcelona and Real Madrid are currently locked in a transfer battle to sign Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel, who is reportedly keen on moving to Spain.
But the two perennial rivals could lock horns for one more young talent in the form of Gilberto Mora.
The Mexican international is fast becoming one of the most talented players to come out of North America in recent years and Real Madrid have been monitoring him for a while.
Barcelona to provide strong competition
According to SPORT, Gilberto Mora is a genuine option for Barcelona as they scour the market for a new attacker, setting up another potential tug-of-war with Los Blancos.
Gilberto Mora, Mexico player
Is Mora the next big talent in North American football? (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
The young midfielder has just turned 18, meaning he is now free to join a European club. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, who also represents Erling Haaland, has made clear that a move across the Atlantic is coming, with only the timing to be decided.
“The big decision is when to do it. He has to be ready as a person,” Pimenta told TUDN.
Mora’s current Transfermarkt valuation sits at around €25 million, though Mexican media suggest his asking price will climb to €50-60 million, with any buyer also expected to lay out a clear plan for his adaptation to Europe.
Why Mora is an appealing target for Real Madrid
Gilberto Mora, Mexico player
Real Madrid cannot afford to surrender Gilberto Mora to Barcelona. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
What makes Mora so coveted is that he has already built a strong track record.
Since debuting at 15 years and 10 months, he has become the youngest goalscorer in both Liga MX and Copa MX, as well as the youngest Clausura tournament MVP.
For Mexico, he is the youngest ever debutant, scorer and assist provider, and started their biggest games at this summer’s World Cup, against Ecuador and England.
For Real Madrid, the attraction is obvious, even if the position appears well stocked. Mora has previously made no secret of his admiration for the club, with reports indicating he dreams of playing at the Bernabeu one day.
It remains to be seen whether or not Barcelona being serious about signing Mora prompts Real Madrid to make a move for the Mexican international.
Ibrahima Konate of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Ibrahima Konate is no longer at risk of suspension after the RFEF Disciplinary Committee accepted Real Madrid’s appeal against the yellow card he received in the match against Villarreal.
The French defender had accumulated four bookings and faced the prospect of missing El Clasico if he received a fifth yellow card against Sevilla this Sunday.
Following the successful appeal, however, his tally has been reduced to three cautions, meaning he no longer faces the risk of missing the Clasico if he were to get booked in the match vs Sevilla.
Committee rules there was no contact
Konate was shown the yellow card by referee Isidro Diaz de Mera for an alleged foul on Villarreal veteran forward Gerard Moreno.
Ibrahima Konate, Real Madrid player
Konate was shown a yellow card vs Villarreal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The match official’s report initially recorded the incident in the 81st minute as follows:
“In the 81st minute, player number 16, Ibrahima, was cautioned for bringing down an opponent while challenging for the ball, thereby stopping his progress and preventing a promising attack.”
However, after reviewing the evidence submitted by Real Madrid, the committee concluded that the footage did not support the referee’s description of the incident.
“Having examined the representations submitted by Real Madrid, together with the video evidence provided in support of their arguments, this committee considers that the appeal should be upheld, as there is a clear and material error in the description of the events that led to the caution being challenged,” the ruling stated.
Ibrahima Konate of Real Madrid
Yellow card overturned. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“Indeed, a review of the footage of the incident in question shows that there was no contact between the cautioned player and his opponent. This contradicts the factual basis on which the referee’s decision was made,” the committee added.
A small win for Real Madrid
This comes as a small win for Real Madrid, who will now not have to worry about losing Konate for the all-important El Clasico against Barcelona on 25 October.
However, for the trip to Catalonia, the Merengues will be without superstar forward Vinicius Jr., who has been handed a four-match ban by the Disciplinary Committee following his red card against Villarreal.