By OkayGoal
Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Mexican teenager Gilberto Mora, and a loan-based plan has put them ahead of Liverpool in the race for his signature.
The Arsenal hierarchy have already proposed a transfer plan that would involve signing the Club Tijuana youngster and then sending him out on loan, according to reports from Sports Mole.
With Liverpool also heavily linked in recent months, the Gunners could be positioning themselves to beat several European rivals to one of Mexico’s most exciting young talents.
Gilberto Mora transfer: what is the Arsenal offer?
Arsenal are said to have made an offer for Mora. Former Mexico defender Claudio Suarez has confirmed the Gunners have shown serious interest, speaking to Unanimo (via Sport Witness).
“I know for a fact that he’s had offers,” Suarez said. “Arsenal showed interest, and so did Bayern Munich. Arsenal’s plan was to sign him and then loan him out, since he might not have been a starter for them right away.”
The Gunners have tracked his development for some time, and earlier reports suggested they were keen to get ahead of the competition before the January transfer window. It is the kind of forward planning we have seen from N5 recently, with Eli Junior Kroupi and Can Uzun also on the radar.
Gilberto Mora stats and release clause
The 18-year-old has emerged as one of Mexican football’s brightest prospects, scoring 15 goals in 62 appearances for Tijuana while establishing himself on the international stage.
Mora scored for Mexico in their Gold Cup semi-final victory over Honduras last year and featured four times at the 2026 World Cup this summer, which raised his profile among Europe’s leading clubs.
His release clause is reportedly worth $26.8m (£20m), which hands interested clubs a clear route to securing him. Any move to England must still comply with FIFA regulations governing international transfers of minors, so the timing and structure of a deal matter.
Are Arsenal ahead of Liverpool for Mora?
For now, it looks that way. The reported offer and the proposed loan plan suggest Arsenal are further along than Liverpool, although there is no confirmation that a deal is close and Liverpool and Bayern Munich remain stiff competition.
The strategy is appealing because it offers a clear pathway. Rather than expecting an 18-year-old to break into Mikel Arteta’s first team straight away, the Premier League champions could secure his long-term future while he gains regular senior football elsewhere.
Author opinion
At around £20m, Mora would be a significant investment, so Gooners will need patience. But a carefully chosen loan could help him adapt to European football without the pressure of performing at the Emirates Stadium straight away, and that approach gives Arsenal a slight edge at this stage. You can follow the club’s own news on arsenal.com.