Real Madrid and Barcelona lose out to Premier League side on 18-year-old

Real Madrid and Barcelona are generally competing for the very best talents in Spanish football, and few escape their grasps. That is the case for 18-year-old winger Antonio Cordero though, who is headed for the Premier League.

Barcelona had initially taken an interest in Cordero last summer as he began making waves in Malaga’s promotion push last season. They made a late €3m offer last summer, but Cordero was not keen on joining Barca Atletic, and dropping down a division after Malaga went up.

Cordero has proven that he is more than capable at Segunda level this season with Los Boquerones. Malaga made several renewal offers, but with Cordero out of contract this summer, Real Madrid also became interested. Barcelona were cited as favourites for his signature due to their relationship with agent Pini Zahavi, but Newcastle emerged in the race earlier this year.

The recovery time for Alejandro Balde is three weeks, so he will not be ready for the Copa del Rey final. The objective is for Balde to be 100% fit for the return leg of a hypothetical Champions League semi-final. @martinezferran

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 14, 2025

Now Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Cordero has agreed a precontract with Newcastle United to join them this summer on a free. Cordero has elected to join the Magpies over the Spanish giants.

EXCL: Newcastle have completed deal to sign Spanish 18 year old talent Antonio Cordero from Malaga, here we go!

Announcement set to take place for Cordero to join #NUFC project.

Barça and Real Madrid were both keen on signing Cordero; he picked Newcastle. pic.twitter.com/4MGDHkLKQf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 15, 2025

This season Cordero has been key in Malaga’s survival bid in Segunda, as they seek to stabilise themselves in professional football after several seasons in the third tier. He has started around half of their games, and participated in just over half of their minutes, but is responsible for close to a third of their goal contributions. Those numbers translate as five goals and six assists in his 32 appearances, playing primarily on the left, but also being used on the right.

Newcastle were likely able to offer a higher wage packet initially to Cordero, but potentially also a clearer path to first-team action. Real Madrid have a stacked forward line to break into, while Barcelona also have plenty of talent to beat out, both in the senior side and in their youth ranks.