Deportivo swoop for Riki as midfielder agrees Coruña move
Former Albacete midfielder Riki set to join Deportivo either in January or summer, with the Galician club moving quickly to secure the box-to-box player.
Deportivo de La Coruña have secured the signature of Riki, with the only question remaining being whether the Asturian midfielder will arrive in January or summer.
Deal Done
The Galician outfit have moved swiftly to agree terms with the Albacete midfielder, whose contract expires this June. With his deal winding down, Riki became free to negotiate with other clubs this month, and Depor haven’t wasted any time in convincing him to make the switch to Riazor.
Interestingly, Riki has history with Deportivo fans - but not the good kind. He was part of the Albacete squad under Rubén De la Barrera that secured promotion to Segunda División by defeating none other than Deportivo in the playoff final at Riazor. Talk about switching sides in a proper derby dust-up!
No Surprise Move
This transfer hasn’t come out of the blue. Deportivo’s sporting director Fernando Soriano recently dropped hints about their interest in the player, stating: “Riki’s contract ends at the end of this season and negotiations can now take place.”
The timing makes perfect sense for manager Imanol Hidalgo, who’s been after reinforcement in midfield. If they can secure Riki during the January window rather than waiting until summer, he’ll provide much-needed competition as a box-to-box alternative to Mario Soriano, who hasn’t been at his best this campaign.
What Next?
The ball is now in Albacete’s court. While Deportivo have secured the player’s agreement, the current question is whether:
- Albacete will negotiate a January fee to release him early
- Depor will need to wait until summer for a free transfer
Either way, the Branquiazuis have bagged their man in what looks a proper bit of business for the Galician side.