Newcastle United set to sign Spanish winger after Tyneside visit & hijack attempt
Newcastle United are still expected to sign the Spanish winger on a free transfer.
Porto have made an attempt to hijack Newcastle United’s move for Malaga winger Antonio Cordero.
The 18-year-old is out of contract this summer and Newcastle have held talks over a pre-contract agreement. Cordero and his family recently visited Tyneside, with the Magpies still expected to win the race for his signature.
But as per Mail Online, Porto have become the latest club to express an interest and are said to have proposed a quicker route to the first team. Their efforts, however, are set to fall flat.
Once Cordero officially joins Newcastle on July 1, the plan is to send him out on loan next season.
United signed Yankuba Minteh for £7million in 2023 and was immediately loaned to Feyenoord. A year later, after never kicking a ball in black and white, the Gambian was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for £33m to help satisfy Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
Last summer, Newcastle brought in young defender Miodrag Pivas from Serbian outfit FK Jedinstvo Ub before loaning him to Willem II. However, it has not been successful as Minteh’s with the 19-year-old featuring just three times in the Eredivisie.
Who is Antonio Cordero?
Born in Jerez in southern Spain, Cordero was on the books at Cadiz, Sevilla and Real Betis before joining Malaga in 2021.
Cordero first broke into Malaga’s ‘B-team’ and caught the eye in the Spanish fifth tier - scoring 12 goals in 17 appearances. He has also been capped for Spain at under-18s and under-19s level.
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The winger has since established himself as a regular in Malaga’s first team since making his debut in 2023. In 29 La Liga 2 appearances this campaign, he has scored five goals and provided six assists.
Newcastle United focus on signing youth
While there has been little to report in terms of senior incomings, Newcastle have been active in recruiting players under the age of 18.
Last year, United announced a deal for Dinamo Tbilisi forward Vaktang Salia, who will officially move to St James’ Park when he turns 18 in August. The Georgian, like Cordero, is expected to go out on loan.
Meanwhile in January, the Magpies signed Republic of Ireland teenager Kyle Fitzgerald from Galway United and Baran Yildiz from Turkish second-tier side Genclerbirligi.
Speaking about the importance of signing young talent, sporting director Paul Mitchell said last year: “Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.
"We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future.”