Newcastle are on course to trump Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race to sign budding Malaga sensation Antonio Cordero for free this summer.
According to MARCA, Carabao Cup winners Newcastle are leading the battle to acquire Malaga’s Spanish wonder Cordero, often known as Antonito, beating both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Antonito has been one of the stars of the Segunda Division this season, taking rapid strides with Malaga. The 18-year-old winger has five goals and six assists in 30 games, and his performances have caught the eye of La Liga’s biggest sides in Barca and Real Madrid.
In November, reports revealed Barca’s urgent pursuit of the Cadiz-born talent on a free transfer this summer, hoping to leverage agent Pini Zahavi’s association with Robert Lewandowski and Hansi Flick.
Now, though, reports from England mention that the Magpies are the frontrunners to acquire Antonito’s signing, who have offered the player a better financial package as well as an easier route into the first team.
Malaga’s desire is to keep hold of their star man. “I still have the feeling that we can reach an agreement. We will make an effort to keep Antonito here, within the parameters,” Malaga sporting director Loren Juarros said in September.
