Newcastle over Real Madrid & Barcelona! Magpies stun La Liga duo by pulling off transfer move for Spanish wonderkid

Newcastle United have clinched the signing of Malaga winger Antonio Cordero, according to multiple reports. The Magpies were in a race for the Spain under-19 international's signature with both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Despite that competition from those La Liga giants, Cordero picked Newcastle and will sign a five-year-deal with the Magpies.

Cordero's signing is a major statement for Newcastle given the stature of the clubs they beat to agree the deal. It is also reflective of the club's transfer strategy of signing young players they can develop for the future alongside moves to immediately improve the first team, which they will hope to pull off in the forthcoming window, when PSR constraints are expected to be eased.

Continuing to deputise as Eddie Howe recovers from pneumonia, Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall told a pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's clash with Crystal Palace:

"I know the club is scouting Europe to try and find some of the best talent that's out there.

"I'm sure as soon as we have any other news, the club will be the first to hear about it."

Cordero scored a 121st-minute equaliser in extra time of the second leg of Malaga's promotion play-off with Gimnastic de Tarragona last season. That goal clinched Malaga's return to the Segunda with a 4-3 aggregate win.

Once the deal is announced, Cordero will link up with Newcastle in the summer. However, he is expected to be loaned out at the start of his career with the club. Newcastle took a similar course of action with Yankuba Minteh after signing him in 2023 - the Gambia winger impressing on loan at Feyenoord in 2023-24. Minteh never played for Newcastle, as he was sold to help them comply with PSR, and he scored against them to help Brighton knock the Magpies out of the FA Cup in the fifth round this season.