Confirmation has on Thursday arrived that La Liga giants Barcelona recently expressed a keen interest in the signature of an up-and-coming member of the attacking ranks at Málaga.
The player in question? Antoñito Cordero.
The name of youngster Cordero emerged as a central one in the transfer headlines at the aforementioned Barcelona during the summer.
As much came after word was forthcoming that the 17-year-old had made his way firmly onto the radar of the powers that be at the Camp Nou.
Cordero is widely considered to be one of Spanish football’s standout young talents, and, despite his tender years, played a leading role with Málaga’s first-team last season.
Such exploits quickly piqued the attentions of Deco and the Barcelona transfer team, with it having since been confirmed that the Blaugrana brass went as far as to make contact with their counterparts at La Rosaleda.
Speaking in a press conference, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, on Thursday, Málaga sporting director Loren Juarros was drawn on the club’s work in the summer transfer window.
And Juarros went on to reveal that, just last week, he received a direct phone call by way of Barcelona:
“On August 29, I received a call from the director of youth football at FC Barcelona (José Ramón Alexanko), but we will make an effort to ensure that Antoñito (Cordero) stays here, within the limits of normality and requirements.”
Conor Laird | GSFN