Gilberto Mora became the youngest player to start for Mexico at a World Cup this summer, making appearances at just 17 years and 240 days old. Since then, Liverpool have reportedly shown interest in signing the attacking midfielder from Tijuana in the January transfer window.
Mora featured in Mexico’s opening game against South Africa and was a starter in the round of 16 match against England, drawing attention beyond the Mexican league. Despite his young age, he has made a strong start to the 26/27 season with Tijuana, scoring five goals and providing one assist in seven games. While some question the quality of the Liga MX compared to Europe’s top leagues, those numbers stand out for a teenager.
The 17-year-old will turn 18 in October, making him eligible for a move during the January window. Reports suggest Liverpool could submit a bid then but might allow Mora to stay with Tijuana until the end of the season as part of the deal. This approach would give the club time to secure the player while enabling him to continue developing with first-team minutes.
Fabrizio Romano, a well-known transfer journalist, described Mora as “special” and “one of the best talents around in midfield.” Romano added that European clubs are already in contact with Mora’s representatives to discuss pricing and potential transfers. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also said to be monitoring the player closely, but Manchester City do not appear to be involved.
Liverpool’s pursuit reflects their ongoing strategy of building a youthful squad capable of transitioning smoothly as senior players move on. In recent summers, the club has successfully recruited young talent like Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, and Jeremy Jacquet, often beating other European clubs to signings. The interest in Mora fits into this pattern of targeting promising midfielders with high ceilings.
Tijuana’s role as a launching pad for Mora’s European career is clear. The club will likely negotiate terms that benefit both sides, allowing Mora to gain more experience domestically before making a step up. For Liverpool, securing a player with World Cup experience at such a young age presents an opportunity to strengthen their midfield options for the future.
No official confirmation has come from Liverpool or Tijuana yet, and the reported interest remains unverified. The next developments will likely unfold as the January window approaches and discussions between the clubs and Mora’s camp progress.
According to Yahoo Sports.
