Rumour Mongering: Parker Stays at City, Plus Liverpool-Mora Links

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Xavier Parker of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their side's fifth goal during the FA Youth Cup fourth round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Joie Stadium on January 16, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Following a brief pursuit from Liverpool, Manchester City’s 16-year-old attacking midfielder Xavier Parker has reportedly committed his future to his current club and will not be joining the Reds.

Liverpool had looked like favourites to pull off the signing after interest in the player leaked about a month ago, but it now appears that City have convinced the young midfielder to stay.

In other news, after his breakout performances at the World Cup, Mexico’s 17-year-old attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora has also been linked with moves to top European clubs, including Liverpool, from a plethora of reports from Mexico and across Europe.

However, it appears to be nothing but hot air and rumour mongering for now. Liverpool FC academy reporter Lewis Bower chimed in with his thoughts on the links:

I don’t think the signing of Gilberto Mora would make sense for Liverpool and their selective recruitment method given the recent signing of Samuel Martinez who will join in 2027 and another talented attacking midfielder who Liverpool made a lot of effort to keep in Erik Farkas.…

— Lewis Bower (@LewisBower2021) July 7, 2026

You could assume that Mora would need even more of a guarantee in terms of minutes given he’s a senior international, so yeah, it doesn’t seem nearly as straightforward as the usual sorts of prospects that could be stashed in the Academy teams, making this one look unlikely.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com