Antoñito Cordero: Newcastle United ‘beat’ Real Madrid & Barcelona to wonderkid

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Teenage Spanish winger 

©TM/IMAGO

Antonio Cordero – known as Antoñito – remains a relatively unknown quantity but his name is firmly on the radar of major European clubs. The 18-year-old has enjoyed his breakthrough season with Malaga in LaLiga 2 but he won’t be playing in the Spanish second-flight next season.

Antoñito has interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona but Newcastle United are favourites to secure his signature, according to Spanish outlet Marca. The talented winger was strongly linked with a move to Barcelona last year but Newcastle have reportedly offered a better pathway to the first-team and Antoñito will be a free agent with his contract at Malaga expiring at the end of the season. 

Who is Antoñito?

Born in Andalusia, Antoñito spent time at Real Betis and Sevilla as a youngster before joining Malaga and he signed his first professional contract in 2022. He starred for Atletico Malaga – Malaga’s B team – last season, scoring 12 goals including the vital goal in their promotion. The Spanish U19 international has excelled for Malaga’s first team this campaign with 11 goal contributions in 30 games as detailed by Ivan Fuente, Transfermarkt’s LaLiga expert.

“Cordero plays as a left winger but is right-footed,” Fuente said. “He’s a player that’s worked incredibly hard to improve his physical condition in recent years and he’s Malaga’s second topscorer this season with five goals. He’s already an absolute star in LaLiga 2 and scored the goal to promote Malaga’s B team last season – he’s ready to progress to a higher level. 

Who wants to sign Antoñito?

Antoñito has been able to speak to clubs due to being in the last six months of his deal and can sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of Spain. Reports suggest that Newcastle are close to securing his signature with the Magpies offering a more lucrative financial package and guarantees over first-team football. 

Fuente added: “Cordero’s contract expires in the summer and he’s rejected renewal offers with his future destined to be away from Malaga. He’s part of a major agency with Pina Zahavi and he will be weighing up offers as a free agent. The main reason I’d suggest that he’s closer to a move to Newcastle than Barcelona and Real Madrid is because his inner circle will want him to join a club where he’s more likely to play. At the Spanish giants, he probably wouldn’t get enough minutes to show his quality.”