Newcastle United think they have beaten Real Madrid & Barcelona to July 1 signing
Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell has been busy identifying young players with high potential.
Newcastle United are set to beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to the signing of Malaga winger Antonio Cordero.
The 18-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign and last month held talks over signing a pre-contract agreement with the Magpies.
And according to Mail Sport, there is now a growing confidence the winger will join United after visiting Tyneside and holding face-to-face with sporting director Paul Mitchell.
Cordero has established himself as a regular in Malaga’s first-team since making his debut in 2023. In 24 La Liga 2 appearances this campaign, he has scored four goals and provided six assists.
Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have been credited with an interest in the Spain under-19s international but Newcastle look set to win the race.
Mitchell joined Newcastle last summer and although he is yet to make a major signing at first-team level, the former Monaco chief has been busy identifying young players with high potential.
Last year, Newcastle 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 is expected to go out on loan.
And in a similar deal, United signed Turkish midfielder Baran Yildiz from Genclerbirligi during the January transfer window. He is set to spend the remainder of the campaign in the under-18s set-up.
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 they 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.
If a deal is reached as expected, Cordero would join Newcastle on June 1 when his contract in Spain officially expires.
Paul Mitchell transfer strategy
Speaking about the importance of signing young talent, 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.”