Liverpool Lead Race for £30m Gilberto Mora Ahead of Arsenal

Liverpool step up Gilberto Mora chase in £30m race with Arsenal

Liverpool have intensified their pursuit of Club Tijuana midfielder Gilberto Mora, holding talks over a potential move next year. Arsenal are also strongly interested in the 18-year-old, who can seal a European transfer in January, but face competition from a host of elite clubs.

Player: Gilberto Mora, 18, right-footed midfielder
Current club: Club Tijuana
Fee: Around £30m — would be a Liga MX record transfer
Interested clubs: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, Real Madrid, Barcelona
Earliest move: January 2027 (has turned 18)
Liverpool status: Long-standing interest, contact made over a swoop next year

Deal details

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have made contact over a potential swoop for Mora next year. The Reds hold a long-standing interest in the midfielder and have now stepped up their efforts to sign him. The report states that Club Tijuana do not want to let Mora leave for cheap and want around £30m. If any club pays that amount, it would be the Liga MX record transfer.

Mora has turned 18 and is therefore eligible to seal a move to Europe in January. Arsenal are showing strong interest in purchasing the youngster, but they will have to overcome stiff competition. Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, Real Madrid and Barcelona are also in this race. The stage of talks is at rumour level: Liverpool have made contact, but no fee has been agreed or bid accepted.

Injury and availability

Liverpool currently have Dominik Szoboszlai as a creative midfield option, but the Hungarian is currently out injured and has mainly been used in a deeper role by boss Andoni Iraola. That shortage may explain why Liverpool are pushing to sign Mora, who can operate in the creative and box-to-box roles.

Why Liverpool need Mora now

Liverpool spent heavily on Florian Wirtz last year after being impressed by his Bayer Leverkusen performances. However, the 23-year-old has failed to replicate his Bundesliga form in the Premier League, managing 15 goal contributions across all competitions last season. With Szoboszlai injured and deployed deeper, Iraola lacks a natural creator in the No.10 position. Gilberto Mora is a versatile right-footed midfielder comfortable as a No.10 or in a box-to-box role, and he can provide cover on the left flank if needed. That flexibility makes him attractive to a Liverpool side that has struggled for creativity.

Arsenal, by contrast, are well stocked in the attacking midfield area. Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are specialist options in the CAM role, while Mikel Merino can provide cover, and Max Dowman is emerging. Arsenal do not need further depth in that position unless someone leaves. However, Mora is considered a top-class talent and could be a shrewd acquisition for either club. The question is whether Arsenal would pay £30m for a player who would initially be a squad option, or whether Liverpool’s need makes them more willing to meet the asking price.

For a Liga MX club, £30m is a transformative fee. Tijuana will not sanction a departure below that mark, and any move in January would be a record sale for the league. For the buying club, it is a calculated gamble on a teenager with senior experience but no European football. Mora’s age and potential mean the race will not be decided by money alone — playing time and a clear pathway will matter. Liverpool can offer both more readily than most of the European giants listed.

Talking points

Should Liverpool pay a Liga MX record £30m for an 18-year-old when they already splurged on Wirtz? Their midfield needs may justify it, but the price is steep for potential.
Arsenal’s interest seems less urgent given they already have Odegaard, Eze, Merino and Dowman. Would Mora stagnate at the Emirates rather than develop elsewhere?
With Real Madrid and Barcelona also circling, can a Premier League club realistically win the race for a Mexican talent who might prefer Spain?
Is Mora’s versatility — No.10, box-to-box, left flank — a blessing or a sign he lacks a defined best position at senior level?

What happens next

Mora turned 18 this year, meaning he can complete a move to Europe in January. Liverpool have made contact, but no formal bid has been accepted. Arsenal and the other interested clubs must decide whether to make a concrete approach. The next step is a formal offer of around £30m to Club Tijuana, with the selling club holding firm on their valuation. If a Premier League club meets the price, a Liga MX record transfer could be completed in the winter window.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gilberto Mora joining Liverpool or Arsenal?

No move has been agreed. Liverpool have stepped up efforts and made contact over a potential swoop next year, while Arsenal are showing strong interest, but both face competition from eight other clubs.