Loan moves for two Newcastle talents and one new signing – Six options to consider

In this piece, I look at the potential options available for Garang Kuol, Alfie Harrison and incoming new boy Antonio Cordero, who is due to arrive any day now ahead of a free transfer from Malaga.

What a season this lad has just had; five goals and four assists across 12 games is a great return for the Australian.

Due to an injury in the summer, Kuol missed out on a loan move and instead has stayed and impressed with the U21’s, however, next season is a big one for him. This feels like his last chance to make a claim to be involved with the first team.

Kuol has already had two unsuccessful loan moves, his first one with Hearts where the aim was to get him to a physical league and a league that translates well to the Premier League. Then, his next move was to FC Volendam in Holland, where he started off well. However, due to some board room drama and a managerial sacking, he got very little game time, resulting in another unsuccessful move. This next one has to be spot on.

Kuol is a very talented player, who is definitely better of the left, he has a great strike on him and he loves to cut inside on his right foot. Game time is an absolute priority for Kuol. My plan would be to send him to a lower English league than what his ability actually shows, just to give him the best possible chance of regular football while experiencing the physical demands of the EFL.

My first pick is Cardiff City.

Recently relegated Cardiff will be looking to bounce straight back into the Championship and will most likely lose some key players. They play an attacking style of football and look to have lots of control over games.

Their current use of the left wing is perfect for Kuol, as their left back likes to push up and overlap, which would allow Kuol to cut inside and become influential in central areas.

Also, last season in the Championship, they ranked third for tackles in the final third, indicating that they are a club who like to press high, allowing for a smoother translation to Eddie Howe’s style should he make it.

The only problem with this move is Chris Willock. Currently, he is the starting left wing for Cardiff and was one of their most played forwards last season. The feeling is he’ll stay next season, so it may be tough for Kuol to start, but Willock is versatile and there would be so many games to play next season, handing the Aussie plenty of opportunities to gain significant game time.

My second pick is Reading.

Despite the off pitch issues, Reading had a very impressive 2024/25 campaign. Only finishing one point off the play off places is a great achievement with all things considered.

Now with new owners, they’ll be looking to kick on from there and push for promotion back to the Championship. Reading currently have the second youngest average aged starting XI in League One, showing that their coach really trusts the youth.

They use their left winger just like Cardiff, but their current options feature a 22-year-old who only returned seven g/a last season and their back up is 33 and returned just three g/a last season, so they may be looking for improvements on that side.

It is reported that the club will be looking to loan out our young midfielder in the summer. We signed Alfie from Manchester City in early 2024 and he featured for us during pre season last summer.

Alfie has had an excellent season, providing ten goal involvements in the Premier League 2. He is labelled as an attacking midfielder, but when played under Eddie Howe he has actually operated in a right-sided No 8 role. I’ve always drawn the comparison to Martin Ødegaard and Bernardo Silva based on his play style.

I don’t think game time is as much of a priority as Kuol; ideally he’d get a lot, but I think the main focus for Alfie will be getting him physically used to senior football, so I want to be ambitious with the move I give him.

My first pick is Swansea City.

Sticking with the Welsh theme clearly. My first reason for this pick is Swansea are know for playing possessional football, and they ranked third for possession in the Championship last season. Ideally for a midfielder going on loan, we want them to get as much of the ball as possible and that’s exactly what would happen at Swansea.

My other reason is that going into next season, Swansea are thought to be in the market for a new attacking midfielder. Furthermore, Swansea play a 4-2-3-1, with their right pivot tasked to push up slightly higher, just like how Harrison was used under Howe, so he covers two positions.

The main concern with this is whether Swansea will be willing to take the risk on a 19-year-old with little senior experience, although Alfie having the Man City academy background may help his cause.

My second pick is Hearts

Now this pick is bold, due to the depth they have in midfield and there is plenty of competition. But, unlike Kuol, I don’t think game time is as much of a priority for Harrison.

The thing I love about Hearts is the similarity in play style. They play a 4-3-3 just like Howe, with the LCM pushing further up and the RCM supporting the CM in build up. Hearts also rank third for possession in the Scottish Premiership which is ideal for Harrison’s ability on the ball.

Hearts have had a poor season and may be looking to offload some players. The average age of their squad is the second oldest in the division, opening the door for some younger recruits to arrive. They also have a previous relationship with Newcastle following Kuol’s spell in Scotland.

If you aren’t familiar, Cordero is set join Newcastle in the summer and the plan is to loan him straight out. Cordero is a right footed left winger from Malaga, he’s 18 years old and has contributed 13 g/a in 36 appearances.

He’s had a great level of first team experience at such a young age, which is hugely impressive. He’s also capable of playing on the right wing and as an attacking midfielder, but from the footage I’ve seen he looks better off the left.

Given the levels he’s already shown in senior football, I’m going to be looking for a step up for Cordero. I will also note that I don’t think game time is a huge priority for Cordero as he’s already had plenty of game time at such a young age, making a switch to a physical league that translates well to Premier League football all the more important.

My first pick is Stade Brestois 29 (Brest).

Brest are due to only have one left winger next season,. They need forwards and Cordero would be a great signing for them.

He fits nicely as an inverted winger, meaning he likes to cut inside. That’s exactly how Brest use their left winger, with their left back often overlapping.

Brest’s play style is similar to Eddie Howe at Newcastle; they play a 4-3-3 with overlapping full backs and also press aggressively, making the fourth most tackles in the attacking third this season. The French league is also a very physical and translates well to the Premier League.

My only issue is the average age of their squad is the oldest in Ligue 1, but Cordero’s youth may be desired and he’d immediately become their best left winger.

My second pick is Leicester City.

With Leicester relegated, it’s expected that Bilal El Khannouss will depart this summer, leaving them with only Stephy Mavididi.

Mavididi showed in the previous season that he is a quality Championship left winger, but they need depth and competition, which is exactly what Cordero would bring.

At 18, he doesn’t need tons of game time, the priority with Cordero should be getting used to physical leagues and the Championship is offers exactly that.

Leicester play a 4-2-3-1 and Cordero’s ability to play across the two wide positions and as the 10 may appeal. The Foxes will look to come straight back up next season, so being in a team that will play very positive football under potential new boss Russell Martin could work well, especially if they are winning most weeks.

That is the end of the article, thank you so much for reading and enjoy the rest of your week!