Barcelona and Real Madrid set to battle for 18-year-old Spanish winger | OneFootball

As is usually the case with El Clasicos, the last encounter between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid was once again a memorable affair, significantly more so for the Blaugranes than for the Merengues.

Hansi Flick’s team got a convincing victory in this game, scoring four goals without a response from the hosts at the Bernabeu, and the German coach proved his team’s credentials once again shortly after beating Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

But according to MARCA, Barcelona and Real Madrid are currently involved in another El Clasico, one that is taking away from the pitch, in the transfer market. The two teams are fighting over one of the most promising youngsters in Spanish football, the 18-year-old Malaga striker, Antonio Cordero.

Barcelona had already tried to sign the forward in the last summer transfer window, but Malaga did not even listen to the Blaugranes’ proposal. However, the striker has not agreed to a renewal with the Andalusian club to extend his current contract which is expiring on 30th June 2025, and thus there is a possibility that Malaga can sell him in January to get some money for this prized asset.

Real Madrid had also asked about the player in the summer, but as Malaga were not naming a prize for the striker, the Merengues closed this option to reinforce their Castilla side. Now, Los Blancos are once again becoming attentive to Antonito’s situation, having seen the youngster score three goals and give three assists in his twelve games this season.

However, Barcelona enjoy an advantage in this battle, as the forward recently engaged Pini Zahavi as his agent. The Israeli has very good relations with Barcelona President Joan Laporta and is also the representative of Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski.

But the player himself will have to make a decision about his future as January arrives, and it will be interesting to see where he plays for the second half of this season.