Barcelona have been linked with a move late in the transfer window for the 17-year-old winger Antonio Corderobut it seems as if they will fight to sign him. Málaga will demand his release clause, and hope to hand over a new deal.
Malaga have just beaten off interest from Real Madrid to secure a new deal for Izan Merino, and Cordero is next in line. He can't sign a deal for more than three years until November, though, when Cordero turns 18. While economically Los Boquerones cannot compete with Barcelona, Sporting Director Loren Juarros told the press that Cordero was in the best place for his development.
“On August 8, I spoke with them (the player's agents) to see where things were and they told me that they would talk to the family and the player; On August 22, I spoke with them again and they told us that at the moment they have many operations at the end of the market and they consider it not so important because they are not in a rush and they are comfortable. They understand that the best place for Cordero is Malaga . We had arranged to have a personal appointment when the market ends. I understand that Malaga will make the maximum effort to keep him, “he said. AS Diary.
“What I know is that I think that Antonio is happy here and that his entourage is happy here because he sees that what is said to the young players is complete. If the representative agency comes and tells me that I have to compete with a financial offer from Arabia and Barca, then it is impossible”.
Luis Suárez, being very close to Ronald Araújo, once warned Barcelona that the centre-back is seriously considering Bayern's lucrative offer. Beyond the attractive salary, Araújo was eager to compete for major titles, making his departure a real possibility. @ffpolo
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 7, 2024
Meanwhile he also confirmed that Barcelona had been in contact for Cordero.
“On August 29 I received a call from the director of the youth football team of Barcelona. The movements of the first team left the reserve team short and they were interested in Cordero. I told him that I would do the my work and that we do not mind to sell. He told me that he was going to send a proposal that afternoon. I did not have the word, but with that proposal, it would have been any amount, except that it was the release clause, we would not have accepted.”
“This proposal is not the amounts that the media are talking about. This is where the story ends. We have that pending meeting with the representation agency. I spoke with the father. When Madrid or Barcelona call you, it is normal that the pressure is generated. I conveyed to him that we can reach an agreement. We will make an effort to keep Cordero within the limits of the questions. This is the story of Antonio Cordero.
Currently, Cordero's release clause is around €3 million, making it an expensive sum for Barca Atletic to shell out, given Barcelona's current financial situation. The teenager scored Malaga's winner in the play-off final to return to Segunda, becoming an instant hero. His return to Segunda has coincided with a brilliant start to the season for Cordero, who has two goals and two assists in just three games, only one of which he started.
