Man Utd in transfer battle to sign Mexican wonderkid dubbed 'the next Chicharito'

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Manchester United are reportedly desperate to sign a Mexican wonderkid who has been labelled as 'the new Chicharito'.

Javier Hernandez went under the nickname 'Chicharito' in his career and he is one of the most successful Mexican players this century, having played for some of the biggest clubs in the world in Manchester United and Real Madrid.

He also played for Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham, Sevilla and LA Galaxy, and in 2024 he made a romantic return to Guadalajara - his first club and the city of his birth.

Chicharito earned well over 100 caps for Mexico during a stellar international career and he remains his country's leading goalscorer in history with 52 strikes to his name.

The country has been awaiting an heir to match Chicharito's stardom for some time and they just might have found it in the form of 16-year-old Gilberto Mora, who hit the headlines in August 2024 when he became the youngest scorer in Liga MX history at just 15 years and 320 days old.

The young attacking midfielder has racked up 41 appearances for Club Tijuana despite his young age, scoring seven goals and recording two assists in that time.

He is becoming recognised on the international stage, too, as he has three goals to his name at the ongoing Under-20 World Cup. No player in the tournament has bettered that tally so far.

He scored once versus Morocco, before netting an impressive double against Spain.

Mundo Deportivo reports that Man Utd are now keeping tabs on Mora, though they are set face a major battle for his signature as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have all registered an interest too.

The Red Devils reportedly hope that their history of bringing through young players will aid them in this transfer race, while Mora may be seduced by the prospect of following in Chicharito's footsteps by playing at Old Trafford.

It would appear United have indeed stepped up their scouting activities in Central and South America as in the summer of 2025 they struck a deal to sign exciting left-back Diego León from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno.

Mora ready for Europe?

Mora's agent previously confirmed interest from European sides and, in her opinion, the 16-year-old is ready now to make that leap in his career.

"Yes (there have been offers) I know, but I can't say more," Rafaela Pimenta, also the agent of Erling Haaland, told reporters.

"Gilberto Mora is a player who can play anywhere. I've been working on this for 30 years and I've rarely seen players like him. I have also seen this with other high-level athletes. They are players who have an aura, a magnetism, something that when they arrive at a place you feel.

"It's impressive. I've seen this a few times in my life. This talent is only going to develop because he has the concentration and everything he needs. This means for me that he is a player who is ready. You put this boy tomorrow in a Champions League team and he plays."

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