Barcelona chase 17-year-old Malaga sensation Antonito

Barcelona want to acquire Malaga's 17-year-old sensation Antonio Cordero, better known as Antonito, following his exploits in the Segunda Division, according to Relevo.

The Catalans want to add one more jewel to their increasing pool of budding talent and provide him a potential path to first team football in the future by playing for Barca Atletic, the B team. Barca lack depth on the left wing given Ansu Fati's struggles with form and fitness, and feel Antonito could be a smart addition.

The attacker is a regular for the Spain U19s and has been a real revelation in Segunda Division, scoring three goals and registering as many assists in just 660 minutes across 12 appearances.

With the player's contract with Malaga expiring next summer, he is well aware of the interest from Barcelona, who have intensified their pursuit of the player in recent months.

Antonito's agent Pini Zahavi has close ties to Barcelona because of his associations with Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski and might be crucial to Barca's acquisition of the gifted Malaga winger.

However, Malaga are going out of their way to bind the young player with a renewal. Unlike Barca Atletic, who play in the third division, Antonito has been offered regular playing time in a more competitive league by Los Albicelestes.

"I still have the feeling that we can reach an agreement. We will make an effort to keep Antonito here, within the parameters," Malaga sporting director Loren Juarros said in September.

Antonito faced the heat of the Malaga faithful at La Rosaleda over the weekend when he was brought on in the 79th minute against Cartagena. The teenager was welcomed on to the pitch with vicious boos and whistles from the home crowd. That could continue in the next few games if Antonito continues to evade a contract renewal at Malaga.

As for Barcelona, they lost only their second LaLiga game of the season on Sunday, a narrow 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad in a game marred by VAR controversy. They will hope to preserve their six-point lead over Real Madrid when they visit Celta Vigo on November 23 after the international break.