Newcastle United have decided to bring Antonio Cordero back to Tyneside after his loan spell in Belgium failed to deliver what the club had hoped for.
The move to KVC Westerlo was meant to be a key step in the teenager’s development, but it quickly became clear that things were not working out as planned. Now, the Magpies will review what went wrong and look for a better solution to help the young winger progress.
Cordero joined Newcastle last summer on a free transfer from Malaga, with the club beating off strong interest from Barcelona and other European sides. At just 19 years old, he was viewed as a player with huge potential.
The plan was simple and sensible. Newcastle wanted him to play regular first-team football in the Belgian Pro League, gain confidence, adapt to senior football, and return next season ready to push for a place in Eddie Howe’s squad.
Unfortunately, that plan never took shape. Despite being available, Cordero did not start a single league or cup match for Westerlo. His time on the pitch was extremely limited, adding up to just over 100 minutes since the summer.
From Newcastle’s point of view, this was nowhere near enough game time for a player at such an important stage of his development. As a result, the club made the decision to cancel the loan early and bring him back.
Cordero is expected to return to Newcastle immediately, but he is unlikely to stay long. Another loan move is already being discussed, with Spanish side Cadiz emerging as a strong option.
Returning to Spain, especially to a competitive environment where he previously impressed, could give him the chance to get regular football and rebuild momentum.
The situation has also been frustrating for Westerlo, who paid a reported £1.8 million loan fee for the deal. Despite their reputation as a club that looks after young players, they were unable to give Cordero the platform he needed.
This outcome will no doubt lead Newcastle to look more closely at how future loan moves are planned and managed.
Despite the recall, Newcastle are not planning to involve Cordero with the first team in January. This is even with the club dealing with several injury concerns.
Anthony Elanga, for example, missed the recent defeat at Manchester United after picking up a knock late in the game against Chelsea. The initial worry was that the injury could be serious, but those fears have now eased.
Elanga’s leg injury is not considered severe, and he is expected to return to the squad sooner rather than later. Eddie Howe has already played down the concern, confirming that the winger should be back quickly. This has reduced any urgency to look at young players like Cordero as short-term cover.
As the January transfer window approaches, Newcastle have also been receiving interest in other squad players, particularly those on the fringes of the first team.
Alex Murphy and Leo Shahar have both attracted loan interest from clubs in the English Football League. However, Howe is currently reluctant to allow anyone to leave due to the growing injury list.
Murphy, who spent time on loan at Bolton Wanderers last season, is now needed as defensive cover. Injuries to Tino Livramento, along with longer-term absences for Sven Botman and Dan Burn, have stretched Newcastle’s backline thin. Murphy’s versatility has become important at a time when options are limited.
Shahar has also been kept close to the first team. The young right-back has been named on the bench in recent matches as Newcastle continue to manage fitness issues across the squad. With no quick fixes in sight, the club cannot afford to weaken their depth further by sanctioning exits.
Howe has openly admitted that the defensive situation is challenging. He praised the players who have stepped in, including Lewis Miley, who has been asked to play out of position.
The Newcastle boss made it clear that any returning players would be welcomed, although it remains uncertain when key figures like Botman or Kieran Trippier will be ready to return.
Overall, the recall of Antonio Cordero highlights both the risks of loan moves and Newcastle’s determination to protect their young talents. While this particular spell did not work out, the club remains confident in Cordero’s ability. The focus now is on finding the right environment where he can play regularly, develop properly, and continue his journey toward becoming a future first-team player at St James’ Park.
