Liverpool’s early move for Mexico’s 17-year-old World Cup star

Liverpool have made early contact over a deal for Gilberto Mora, the 17-year-old Mexico attacking midfielder who has become one of the biggest stories of the 2026 World Cup. According to TeamTalk, the Premier League champions are “very keen” and have already checked the conditions of a transfer while sounding out the player’s intentions. This is not a signing that is close, and nobody sensible should pretend otherwise.

The interest comes after Mora starred for Mexico during their run to the last 16, where he looked unfazed by the occasion despite the hosts’ dramatic 3-2 defeat to England. He has earned 12 senior caps for Mexico and plays with maturity beyond his years, showing composure, vision and technical quality in tight areas. Those attributes have triggered a queue of elite clubs circling the teenager.

Liverpool are now part of that queue, with Arsenal also credited with recent interest. Real Madrid have admired him for some time, Barcelona have sent scouts, and Manchester City and Chelsea are still involved. Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Ajax have also been linked. This is what a genuine transfer race looks like, and it usually ends with one thing: the price rising fast.

The current valuation is said to be above €40 million, which is around £34m. For a 17-year-old still playing in Liga MX, that is a serious number, though the modern market has stopped pretending age brings discounts. Under FIFA regulations, Mora cannot join a foreign senior side until he turns 18 in October 2026, so even if groundwork is laid now, the process has limits.

Gilberto Mora remains a Club Tijuana player and recently signed a contract extension until 2029, which includes a “structured exit strategy designed to protect both player and club.” His representative, Rafaela Pimenta, has shaped a route that balances development and ambition, meaning the next move will be calculated, not emotional. With Mexico out of the World Cup, discussions over his future will take place in due course, and clubs can begin positioning themselves properly. Liverpool have already done that.