Deportivo La Coruna Want €25m If Angel Lafita Leaves

Deportivo de La Coruna have demanded that Angel Lafita pay the club €25 million if he forces through a transfer to Real Zaragoza, as the case moves up a another gear.

The 25-year-old is at the centre of heated struggle between the two clubs and has been forced to train on his own while the dispute about who his contract belongs to is sorted out, the Diario de Aragon state.

In 2007 Lafita joined Depor on loan from Zaragoza, and last summer the move was made permanent in a transfer that included a buy-back option that had to be exercised this year.

Zaragoza utilised that on option on the last day of the transfer window, August 31, though Depor claim that the last day the clause was valid was June 29, and therefore the Aragon side have no claim.

Lafita travelled to Zaragoza after the club had deposited €2m in Depor's account and saw his registration with the League (LFP) switch to them.

That caused even more controversy, with the Galician outfit stating that the buy-back clause cited a payment of €3m, plus the transfer tax that Spain includes in all player moves.

Now the case will be heard by the LFP, with Depor president Augusto Lendoiro due to hold a press conference beforehand to apply extra pressure on the proceedings.

If Zaragoza win the judgement and Lafita joins them then Deportivo could continue with a case for compensation as they will demand €25m from Lafita himself to match the buy-out clause in his contract.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com