Is Gilberto Mora really joining Liverpool next week? Fans now told the ‘reality’ of £42m transfer claim

Liverpool supporters have been given hope of a surprise October transfer this week after claims arrived that Mexican youngster Gilberto Mora will make a move to Anfield.

The Reds have been linked with Mora after the 17-year-old broke out as one of the most exciting talents in world football, and reports in Mexico have suggested that Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign him when he turns 18 next Wednesday.

However, according to Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, fans should not be getting too excited. While he concedes that Mora is likely to leave Tijuana in January or next summer, the reporter says that nothing has yet been agreed with Liverpool.

Liverpool have made it a priority to strengthen their ranks with some of the top young players from around the world recently, signing gems such as Samuel Martinez from Colombia and France’s Djylian N’Guessan.

Mora would fit in with this plan very nicely indeed, but according to Merlo, the ‘reality’ is that a transfer has definitely not been arranged. The journalist also told his YouTube channel that when the Mexico international is sold, it will not be for anything like the £42m initially reported.

“It has been commented a lot that on October 14th, when he turns 18, it will be announced that Gilberto Mora was sold to a European club,” Merlo said. “What I have been able to find out after speaking with multiple sources linked to this issue is that the reality is that he has not been sold anywhere yet. There isn’t even a formal offer.

“I can confirm that Mora is on the radar of several top European teams, the names don’t matter, perhaps one is Manchester United, perhaps one is PSG, but those teams follow 100 players.”

“While Mora is very outstanding, I don’t think any club will pay 50 million Euros. Of course there is a chance he is sold in the next transfer window but I see it as being really difficult that it will be for 50 million Euros.

“Speaking with quite a few people in the football transfer environment, people who negotiate directly with and know the most important European clubs, they tell me Mora’s market value is between 20 and 30 million Euros.”

Merlo goes on to say that he currently sees a move to a secondary European club, such as Porto, Benfica, Ajax or Lyon as being more likely for Mora than a step to play for one of the continent’s giants.

Liverpool-based journalist Paul Gorst has also been weighing in on the rumours that Mora could join the Reds this week, hinting that the teenager is likely to be on the radar of head of global talent Matt Newberry and his team.

“The journalist who reported the news [that Mora will join Liverpool], has got four million [social media] followers, which is quite significant. He probably hasn’t just plucked that out of thin air,” Gorst told The Redmen TV.

“Liverpool have been really aggressive with their recruitment of young players over the last calendar year. Martinez coming in, [Ifeanyi] Ndukwe, [Mor] Talla Ndiaye, it does seem like there’s a concerted effort and they are being really proactive.

“It’s Matt Newberry’s department, the global talent department. Gilberto Mora is probably a step above that, but it’s an interesting one, one to keep an eye on.”

If Liverpool were even to pay £15-25m for Mora, he would be coming in as someone to challenge for a first-team place immediately. Nothing is imminent, that is clear, but the wonderkid is going somewhere. Whether it is now or in the future, he is certainly a player to watch from a Liverpool perspective.