Real Zaragoza have agreed a deal with Malaga to take midfielder Apono back to La Romareda, reports Marca.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with Los Manos, making 17 La Liga appearances and helping the club preserve its top-flight status after what at one point seemed inevitable relegation, and he is believed to have turned down offers from two other Spanish clubs.
“Real Zaragoza know that I am waiting to play there,” said the Malaga-born player.
“I have spoken to them and now it is just a question of the two clubs reaching agreement.”
Apono, who fell out with boss Manuel Pellegrini on the opening day of last season following an alleged dressing room incident in a 2-1 loss at Sevilla, will pen a three-year deal with the Aragones club worth around €1m-a-year.
He will be joined by teammate Recio who is also making the move north to join Manolo Jimenez’s squad, and the pair are expected to be unveiled on Wednesday.