Manchester United have withdrawn from their pursuit of Mexican wonderkid Gilberto Mora.
United have spent six months keeping tabs on Mora, with club scouts also tracking his development at the World Cup, where the youngster has helped co-hosts Mexico advance to the Round of 16, where they are set to take on England on Sunday.
However, the teenager’s standout displays have also sparked intense interest from several of United’s fiercest rivals, including neighbors Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, as per The Mirror.
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While United remain open to pursuing the world’s brightest young talent, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has no intention of entering a bidding war for Mora.
The 17-year-old recently penned a new long-term contract with Tijuana, though the deal contains a buy-out clause of £20 million ($26.6 million), structured to facilitate a move to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Mora, who shares the same agent as Erling Haaland, became the youngest player at the World Cup upon his inclusion in the Mexico roster. He made his tournament debut in his country’s victory over South Africa in the opening game, making him the youngest Mexican ever to feature in the competition.
Mora shone in Mexico’s Round of 32 win against Ecuador on Tuesday, becoming the second youngest player to start a knockout game after Pele in 1958. He is widely considered one of the brightest prospects in the world game.
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However, Ratcliffe has demonstrated recently that he refuses to be lured into bidding wars over United transfer targets. The club walked away from negotiations to acquire the likes of Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes this summer.
And despite Mora’s considerable potential, United will not be held to ransom over a player who has made just 50 senior appearances for Tijuana.
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