Paul Mitchell’s ambition of bringing young, promising talent to Tyneside is taking fruition, with the Magpies ready to beat over a pair of La Liga heavyweights for the acquisition of a Spanish starlet.
While our lack of first-team acquisitions has disappointed many over the last few windows, we have brought in a number of young players.
Mitchell has acquired Dinamo Tiblisi’s Vakhtang Salia, despite interest from Arsenal, and Baran Yildiz from Turkish Super Lig club Gençlerbirliği. Our sporting director is also close to signing a promising star from Spain.
A significant coup by Mitchell?
According to Craig Hope of The Mail, Newcastle have jumped ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the hunt to acquire Malaga winger Antonio Cordero.
The 18-year-old has impressed in Spain’s second division this season, scoring four goals and providing six assists, and appears to be the latest in a long line of underage stars poised to call Tyneside home.
According to Hope, Mitchell recently met with Cordero and his team in the North East to discuss a potential summer move, and things are progressing well.
Hope writes that as a result of his personal visit, Newcastle has ‘new confidence’ in reaching a pre-contract agreement with Cordero, who will become a free agent at the conclusion of the season.
The two biggest teams in Europe, Barcelona and Real Madrid, are apparently interested in Cordero, making Newcastle’s moves and discussions all the more fascinating. Given the level of competition, Paul Mitchell would make a statement by signing it.
Who is Antonio Cordero?
Cordero, who represented Spain’s U-19s, made his Malaga debut in late 2023, becoming the club’s fourth-youngest debutant in history.
Cordero has now made 28 appearances for Malaga and has the potential to be a key component in Spain’s new golden age of talent.
Cordero, a right-footed left winger who can also play in attacking midfield, has shown that he is equally capable of scoring and assisting.
If Cordero joins Newcastle, he will be the newest addition to Paul Mitchell’s roster of promising young players.
Domestic talents such as Alfie Harrison (Man City) and international prospects such as Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia and Turkish teenager Baran Yildiz have recently joined the club, and the future looks increasingly bright for a club with a long history of untapped youth talent.
If Cordero signs a pre-agreement, he is anticipated to join Newcastle on July 1st, albeit the Spaniard will most likely be sent on loan to further hone his skills.
Though the club faces an uncertain summer transfer window, with looming PSR constraints casting a pall over Newcastle’s hard work on the field, few fans could deny that these financially-friendly moves for young players are a wonderful idea with a lot of promise.
