Paul Mitchell set to sign free agent winger after visit to Newcastle – Report..
Paul Mitchell’s vision of attracting young, promising talent to Tyneside is continuing to take shape, with the Magpies set to beat a couple of La Liga giants to the signing of a Spanish starlet.
While our lack of first team additions has frustrated many over the past few windows, we’ve brought in a number of youth talents.
Not only has Mitchell secured Dinamo Tiblisi’s Vakhtang Salia, despite interest from Arsenal, and Baran Yildiz from Turkish Super Lig side Gençlerbirliği, it looks like our sporting director is now close to landing a young talent from Spain.
A major coup by Mitchell?
According to The Mail’s Craig Hope, Newcastle have pushed ahead of both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race to sign Malaga winger Antonio Cordero.
The 18-year-old has shone in Spain’s second division this season, bagging four goals and six assists, and looks set to be the latest in a growing line of teenage talents set to call Tyneside their home.
Hope reports that Mitchell recently met with Cordero and his team in the North East over a potential move in the summer, seeing talks head in a positive direction.
As a result of his personal visit, Hope reports that there is ‘fresh confidence’ Newcastle will now agree a pre-contract agreement with Cordero, who will become a free agent at the end of the season.
The two biggest teams in Europe, Barcelona and Real Madrid, have reportedly shown interest in Cordero, making Newcastle’s movements and significant process in negotiations even more exciting. It would be a statement signing by Paul Mitchell given the level of competition.
Who Is Antonio Cordero?
Cordero, who represents Spain’s U-19s, made his Malaga debut at the back end of 2023, becoming the fourth-youngest player to debut in the club’s history.
Over a year later, Cordero has now made 28 appearances for Malaga, and could be a big player for Spain’s new golden generation of talent coming through the ranks.
A right-footed left winger who can deputise on the right wing and in attacking midfield, Cordero has so far proven as equally adept at scoring as he is at assisting.
The latest in a long line of future talent
Cordero, should he sign for Newcastle, would be the latest major youth signing made by Paul Mitchell over the past few windows.
With domestic talents like Alfie Harrison (Man City) and international players prospects like Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia and Turkish teenager Baran Yildiz joining the club in recent times, the future is looking increasingly bright for a club who has long had untapped potential in terms of youth talent.
If Cordero is to sign a pre-agreement, it’s expected he will join Newcastle on July 1st, though it’s likely the Spaniard will be sent on loan to develop his skills even further.
Though the club is facing an uncertain summer transfer window with looming PSR restrictions again casting a dark cloud over Newcastle’s hard work on the pitch, few fans could deny that these financially-friendly moves for youngsters is a fantastic plan with a lot of potential.
