Newcastle United are now interested in signing a 19-year-old attacker alongside their heavily reported move for Malaga winger Antonio Cordero, according to a new report.
Newcastle close to signing Cordero
It emerged on Wednesday that PIF have given Eddie Howe and Newcastle the go-ahead to spend big in this summer’s transfer window. Howe reportedly spoke to Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Paul Mitchell, and CEO Darren Eales this week to discuss plans for the summer. Howe raised concerns about the current Newcastle squad, stating it had gone “stale”, and that has led to a green light to spend money.
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Howe will be delighted by the news, and that will likely help the Magpies get a deal over the line for Cordero, who they are said to be close to signing. It has been claimed from reports in Spain that Malaga winger Cordero is “getting closer” to completing a move to Newcastle with “negotiations about to be closed”.
The 18-year-old’s contract in Spain is set to expire at the end of this season, and while Malaga would like him to sign a new contract, he looks set to move to England, as Newcastle beat Arsenal and Manchester City to his signature.
Cordero is a winger, with his favoured position being out on the right, which is an area that the Magpies are lacking quality and depth in, so he will be a welcome arrival.
Newcastle now interested in signing Diao alongside Cordero
But it isn’t just Cordero who the Magpies want to sign for that right-wing position, as according to Caught Offside, Newcastle are interested in signing Assane Diao from Italian side Como.
The report states that the Magpies, along with Liverpool, are attentive to Diao as he’s scored five goals in eight Serie A games for Como since joining them in the January transfer window. The Magpies are in the market for a new right-winger, as Miguel Almiron left in January to return to the MLS, so this is a top priority to strengthen even with the likely signing of Cordero.
The 19-year-old Diao, born in Senegal but representing Spain at under-18, under-19 and under-21 levels, was of interest to Brentford during the summer, but a move didn’t work out. Diao impressed for Real Betis at the start of this season, and then he decided to move to Como, as he admitted in a recent interview that he wanted to work under manager Cesc Fabregas.
“Why Como? I spoke with Fabregas, who explained the project, the vision, and what he had in mind for me and for the proper development of the team. Speaking directly with him was very important; after that conversation, I had no more doubts and chose Como.”
Diao is under contract until 2029, and if Como remain in Serie A, which they look on course to do, then it means the Magpies may have to pay a decent fee for the winger, who can also play as a centre-forward. Como reportedly paid €12 million to get him out of Spain, so the Italian side are going to want to get at least that back with probably a hefty profit to boot.