Barcelona’s desperate ‘last minute’ attempt to stop Antonio Cordero joining Newcastle United

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The future looks bright for Newcastle United.

This season, of course, has already been an historic one for Newcastle United after they ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic honour.

Champions League qualification is also possible and, at some point given the team’s form, has to be considered likely.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
2	ArsenalArsenal	32	17	12	3	57	27	30	63
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	32	17	6	9	51	38	13	57
4	NewcastleNewcastle	31	17	5	9	56	40	16	56
5	Man CityManchester City	32	16	7	9	62	42	20	55

Clearly, much of what will happen this summer will depend on whether or not Eddie Howe’s side qualify for the Champions League.

Still, Newcastle insiders believe they can spend this summer after having come through the very worst of their PSR problems and it seems their recruitment plans have already started.

Exciting Malaga youngster Antonio Cordero has long been linked with a move to St James’ Park and a deal seemingly moved closer earlier this week.

While there is yet to be any official communication from the club at the time of writing, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Newcastle have signed Cordero.

Now, fresh insight from Spain has emerged.

• Who is Antonio Cordero? Meet the exciting Spanish teenager Newcastle United have signed on a free transfer

Barcelona tried to sign Newcastle-bound Antonio Cordero

According to Diario Sur, both Real Madrid and Barcelona were attempting to sign the teenage winger right up until the point he joined Newcastle.

The report adds that Barca even upped their offer to the 18-year-old at the very last minute, only to see their bid fail given Cordero had already agreed to move to Tyneside.

Malaga’s sporting directors are said to have retained at least some hope the player would stay at the club but ultimately failed in their attempts to keep him.

Naturally, Newcastle fans are excited by the signing of Cordero, albeit he surely won’t be thrust straight into Howe’s first-team. Expecting him to step right into Premier League action after only making 55 appearances for a Spanish second-tier side seems unwise.  

Paul Mitchell flexes transfer muscle as Newcastle United win transfer battle

There can’t have been too many times Newcastle have beaten Barcelona to a signing in the modern age.

Sporting director Paul Mitchell has not had it easy since his appointment given Newcastle’s PSR problems but the Cordero signing could be an important one into getting his project underway.

Porto also made attempts to sign Cordero but it seems Newcastle have won out.

They may not see the fruits of their labour for a while given the left-winger’s age but the future is very exciting either way.