Arsenal make offer for 'next Iniesta' just hours before Leeds clash

Arsenal have reportedly made a move for an exciting youngster who has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world.

After a long three-week international break, the Premier League returns as reigning champions Arsenal welcome Leeds United to the Emirates for the opening fixture of the weekend.

But it appears that Arsenal did not take time off to rest during the break, as it's been reported that the Premier League winners have made an offer to sign Mexican wonderkid Gilberto Mora just hours before the Leeds match.

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Arsenal approach Gilberto Mora over January move amid interest from European giants

Over the summer, Arsenal spent a total of around £209million bringing in key players like Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis.

In the upcoming winter transfer window, due to open on Friday, January 1, 2027, and close on February 1, they are expected to be among the busiest as they look to further strengthen their squad as they push to defend their title.

And it appears that Arsenal may gave already identified their first signing as a report from Mexican outlet El Porvenir has claimed that have the Gunners have approached Mexican club Tijuana for initial talks about singing Mora in January.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is regarded by many as somewhat of a wonderkid and has reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica.

It is believed that Mora's current deal with Tijuana includes a $28m release clause (£20.7m) which could make the move significantly easier to get done quickly once the window opens.

Who is Arsenal transfer target Gilberto Mora?

Over the summer, Mora made history as the youngest player to ever represent Mexico at a World Cup, no doubt piquing the interest of the world's biggest clubs.

“The sky’s the limit for him,” then-Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre said of Mora after last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final win over Honduras.

“He’s got bags of talent and he’s Mexican, so we can consider ourselves very lucky,” Aguirre added.

Despite his age, Mora is a first-team regular for Tijuana, making 62 appearances in all competitions and netting 15 goals while assisting three.

“What stood out most to me was his turning controls; with a single movement, he could turn and control the ball,” former Tijuana boss Juan Carlos Osorio said of Mora last year.

Later in the interview, the manager compared Mora to Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, demonstrating just how highly the youngster is rated.