Wonderkid Antonio ‘Antoñito’ Cordero set to sign for Newcastle United

Newcastle United are poised to secure one of Spain’s most exciting young prospects, with Malaga winger Antonio Cordero expected to sign a pre-contract agreement in the coming weeks.

The Magpies have moved decisively to outmanoeuvre La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, both of whom have expressed interest in the highly rated 18-year-old.

As first reported by Craig Hope for Mail Online, Cordero and his representatives recently travelled to Tyneside for talks with Newcastle’s sporting director, Paul Mitchell.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate that discussions were positive, with the Premier League side increasingly confident of finalising a deal.

Cordero, who turned 18 in November, has emerged as one of the standout young players in Spain’s second tier this season.

Featuring regularly for Malaga, he has registered four league goals in 24 appearances and was in the starting XI for the club’s recent 1-1 draw against Levante. Primarily deployed on the left flank, he is equally comfortable operating on the right, a versatility that has made him an attractive prospect for clubs across Europe.

His journey to this point has been marked by steady progression through the ranks of Spanish football. Born in Jerez, he developed through the youth systems of Cadiz, Sevilla, and Real Betis before joining Malaga in 2021.

By September 2023, he had made his first-team debut at just 16 years and nine months old, becoming one of the youngest players to represent the club.

Paul Mitchell getting to work

Paul Mitchell has had an underwhelming start to life as sporting director at Newcastle United, with two consecutive transfer windows passing without any major incomings.

But Cordero‘s impending arrival reflects Newcastle’s commitment to investing in emerging talent, and finding value-for-money outside of England.

Mitchell, the former Spurs and Monaco sporting director, has been tasked with strengthening the club’s development pipeline, ensuring that future first-team prospects are integrated beneath the senior squad.

This approach has already seen Newcastle secure the signing of 17-year-old Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia from Dinamo Tbilisi, who will officially join the club when he turns 18 in August. Additionally, Turkish midfielder Baran Yildiz, also 18, is set to arrive from Genclerbirligi Ankara.

Cordero to be loaned straight out?

Newcastle’s head of strategic partnerships, Jack Ross, will oversee loan placements for these young recruits, ensuring they gain valuable experience before pushing for a first-team breakthrough.

Should Newcastle finalise terms with Cordero, he will officially join on 1 July as a free agent, with Malaga unable to command a transfer fee due to the expiration of his contract.

The move would be a statement of intent from the Magpies, who continue to position themselves as an attractive destination for Europe’s brightest young talents.

While Barcelona and Real Madrid have monitored the situation, Newcastle’s proactive approach appears to have given them the upper hand. If all goes as planned, Cordero will soon swap the Andalusian sunshine for St James’ Park, becoming the latest addition to an ambitious project on Tyneside.

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