Although official confirmation is yet to arrive, the Magpies are understood to have reached an agreement to sign Malaga winger Antonio Cordero ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Cordero is out of contract this summer, meaning from January onwards overseas clubs have been permitted to hold talks with his representatives regarding a pre-contract agreement.
The 18-year-old has attracted serious interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Porto, but Newcastle have won the race. The player and his family visited Tyneside earlier this year.
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.
The winger has since established himself as a regular in Malaga’s first team since making his debut in 2023. In 34 La Liga 2 appearances this campaign, he has scored five goals and provided seven assists.
Newcastle United eyeing another Spanish second division talent
Paul Mitchell was appointed as Newcastle’s sporting director 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.
Newcastle have agreed to sign Dinamo Tbilisi forward Vaktang Salia, with a move set to be made official when he turns 18 in August. In January, Turkish midfielder Baran Yildiz arrived from Genclerbirligi.
Speaking about the importance of signing young talent, Mitchell said: “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.”
