Newcastle United fans will be watching Antonio Cordero’s development at Malaga very closely indeed.
Cordero is expected to join Newcastle United this summer, having reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement.
While it has yet to have been officially confirmed, Newcastle have reached an agreement to sign Cordero, with the 18-year-old having attracted big interest from elsewhere.
Barcelona tried to sign Cordero but the teenager looks bound for St James’ Park as things stand.
Playing out what look to be his final few games for his boyhood club in Malaga, Cordero may have just had a major say in their season.
- Who is Antonio Cordero? Meet the exciting Spanish teenager Newcastle United have signed on a free transfer
Newcastle United-bound Antonio Cordero scores crucial penalty for Malaga
The Spanish side are fighting for their survival in the second tier this season.
They took a huge step towards ensuring their second-tier status by beating rivals Granada on Saturday night, the three points being sealed by Cordero himself.
The teenager scored a penalty in the first-half, sealing another crucial three points in their pursuit of safety.
La Opinion de Malaga gave him an 8/10 said of his performance: “He took responsibility and did not miss the penalty. He had another clear one, but sent it wide.”
Merchan en Directo, meanwhile, said while giving him a 9/10: “Took responsibility for the penalty. He was the Málaga player who caused the most danger to Diego Mariño’s goal. He wasn’t at his best in the aiming exercise, but he did show composure and quality to finish the penalty that gave Málaga CF the victory. He left La Rosaleda to a standing ovation. Granada, one of his favorite rivals.
“He scored at Los Carmenes and today he did it again at La Rosaleda.”
Newcastle United’s Antonio Cordero plan thrown into doubt
Initially, it was claimed that Newcastle plan to loan Cordero out after signing him.
Ajax have been linked with a move for Cordero, who certainly seems to be in-demand right now.
However, Cordero’s agents suggest he could stay at Newcastle next season, although expecting anyone to make the immediate step-up from the Spanish second tier to the Premier League feels unwise.
Newcastle last season saw Yankuba Minteh excel on loan at Feyenoord. Obviously, the Magpies never actually got to see him play in the first-team but it still raised his value to the point where Brighton moved to sign him.
With that in mind, a loan move for Cordero certainly seems the best idea at this stage in his development.
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