Real Madrid face Newcastle United competition for 18-year-old attacking talent | OneFootball

Real Madrid are always alert to up and coming young talents in Spain and outside and make it a point to monitor their progress with a view of potentially signing them.

One such player who has popped up on the Merengues’ radars is Malaga starlet Antonio Cordero, a.k.a., Antonito.

The 18-year-old versatile forward has become a first-team player for the Spanish second-division side after helping them earn promotion last season.

Real Madrid have taken an interest in the Spanish youth international, as have their arch-rivals Barcelona. But a new suitor has emerged for the young attacker.

Newcastle United want Antonito

Indeed, according to the Mail (h/t SPORT), Newcastle United have shown an interest in signing Antonito in the summer when his contract at Malaga expires.

The Magpies have altered their recruitment strategy in recent times and are focusing on signing exciting young talents from Europe with an eye on the future.

Newcastle want Real Madrid target Antonito (R). (Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images for DFB)

It has seen them rope in Georgian prodigy Vakhtang Salia and exciting talent Baran Yildiz from Turkey, with Antonito now emerging as the next target for the Magpies.

Given that they are owned by a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium, Newcastle United have the financial means to present the 18-year-old prodigy a very lucrative contract which could give them an edge over Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Newcastle director Paul Mitchell is already understood to have proposed Antonito’s name to the club board and they could soon act on the interest in the Spaniard.

The teenager, who has been directly involved in ten goals this season for Malaga (4G, 6A) in 24 matches, could be tempted by the idea of moving to the Premier League.

So, if Real Madrid are serious about their interest in Antonito, they will need to act soon or risk missing out on his signing.