Newcastle United could be about to make an unexpected move involving one of their most talked-about young signings, with fresh information suggesting a return to Spain is now very close for Antonio Cordero.
Just six months after arriving on Tyneside with high expectations, the teenage winger appears set for a change of scenery as the club looks to put his development back on the right path.
When Newcastle secured Cordero’s signature in June, it was seen as a major win. The Magpies fought off serious interest from giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona to land the highly rated youngster on a free transfer after his contract at Malaga expired.
At the time, the deal was praised as smart business, with the club believing they had secured a player with huge potential who could be shaped into a future first-team option.
The plan was clear. Cordero would spend the season on loan, gain valuable minutes at senior level, adapt to the physical demands of European football, and return stronger, sharper, and closer to being ready for Eddie Howe’s squad.
Belgian side KVC Westerlo were chosen as the ideal destination, a club known for giving young players opportunities and allowing them to develop without excessive pressure.
Unfortunately, things have not worked out as hoped. Cordero has struggled badly for game time since arriving in Belgium. He has not started a single league match and has made only brief appearances off the bench.
In total, he has featured in just eight games, often for only a few minutes at a time. On several occasions, he has been left unused, and most recently, he was not even included in the squad for Westerlo’s defeat against Gent. For a 19-year-old at a crucial stage of his career, this lack of minutes is far from ideal.
Newcastle are fully aware that regular football is essential for a player like Cordero. Sitting on the bench week after week does little to aid his growth, and it appears the club have now decided that a change is needed.
According to respected transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Magpies have already agreed to interrupt Cordero’s loan at Westerlo and have lined up a new destination.
Romano has revealed that Spanish side Cadiz have agreed a loan deal with Newcastle to take Cordero for the remainder of the season. The move would see him return to familiar surroundings, both culturally and tactically, and back into a league where he previously thrived.
Cadiz currently sit sixth in Spain’s second division and are firmly in the race for promotion, which could offer Cordero both competitive football and meaningful pressure.
A return to La Liga 2 could be exactly what the winger needs. During his final season at Malaga, Cordero showed why so many clubs were watching him closely.
Despite starting the campaign as a teenager with limited first-team experience, he quickly became a regular. He scored six goals, provided seven assists, and played with a confidence that belied his age. Those performances convinced Newcastle that he was worth the long-term investment.
Speaking after completing his move to Newcastle in the summer, Cordero made it clear how ambitious he is.
He described joining the club as an honour and spoke about wanting to aim high and challenge himself at one of the best clubs in the world. His desire was never in doubt, but sometimes young players simply need the right environment to flourish.
A loan to Cadiz offers a chance to reset. Back in Spain, closer to home, and in a league that suits his style, Cordero will have the opportunity to rebuild confidence and find rhythm through consistent minutes.
If he can rediscover the form that made him stand out at Malaga, Newcastle will be watching closely.
Whether this leads to a push for first-team involvement next season or another carefully chosen loan, the priority remains the same. Newcastle want Cordero playing, learning, and improving. This move, while unexpected, could prove to be the smartest step yet in shaping his future.
