Barcelona keeping tabs on 17-year-old Spanish wonderkid: Reports
Barcelona are reportedly close to signing Malaga starlet Antonio Cordero after keeping tabs on him for some time. The 17-year-old joined Malaga from Atletico Malagueno in July 2024 and has emerged as a highly sought-after talent.
Cordero is a left-winger who has shown his mettle in LaLiga HyperMotion (Segunda division) and has emerged as one of the key figures upfront for Malaga. He has made 12 appearances in the league so far this season, scoring and assisting three goals each. The Spanish prodigy is a tricky customer on the left flank with his footwork and off-the-ball positioning. He has been included in the team of the week twice.
According to Relevo (via @BarcaUniversal on X), Barca want to sign Cordero next summer as a free agent.
According to Barca Blaugranes, Malaga confirmed that Barcelona had contacted them over the summer regarding Cordero. However, Malaga hope that the 17-year-old will stay back and pen a new deal.
Another report by Diario Sport states that Barcelona refrained from paying €3 million for the winger last summer but could sign him for free next summer as Cordero's contract expires in 2025. According to the publication, the Spaniard might join Barca Atletic as early as the January transfer window.
Antonio Cordero's agent Pini Zahavi could play a key role in the transfer, as he shares a good professional relationship with Joan Laporta and also represents Robert Lewandowski and Hansi Flick.
Left-winger Rafael Leao is ready to join Barcelona: Reports
According to SPORT, Portuguese winger Rafael Leao currently feels unsettled at AC Milan and is reportedly looking to join Barcelona for his next adventure in Europe.
The 25-year-old joined AC Milan from LOSC Lille in 2019 for a reported transfer fee of €49.50 million (via Transfermarkt). In 224 games across competitions for I Rossoneri, the Portuguese winger has scored 61 goals and laid out 55 assists.
Rafael Leao's contract with AC Milan expires in 2028 and has a reported release clause of €175 million. However, AC Milan are reportedly willing to let the player go for €80-€90 million.
The only two left-wingers in Barcelona's squad this season are Raphinha and Ansu Fati. Although both have performed well under Hansi Flick, Rafael Leao's addition will provide more options to the German tactician.