Corinthians secures Memphis Depay’s contract renewal, overcoming transfer ban hurdles to have him for the Libertadores.
The saga surrounding Memphis Depay‘s stay at Corinthians appears to have reached its end with a favorable outcome for the São Paulo club. After intense discussions and a crucial vote by the Orientation Council, the talented Dutch number 10 had his contract renewed until June 2028, and the expectation is that he will bolster the squad for upcoming important matches.
The renewal comes amid a complex scenario, with Corinthians facing transfer ban sanctions from FIFA and the CBF. However, legal opinions and those from the Brazilian Football Confederation itself indicate that the situation should not prevent the player’s regularization, bringing relief to the fans.
Depay‘s imminent return is a significant turning point for Corinthians. The player, who has already rejoined training at the CT Dr. Joaquim Grava, could be the key piece for coach Fernando Diniz in the decisive CONMEBOL Libertadores clash. The Dutch forward’s presence is seen as a major asset for the team, which aims to advance in the continental competition.
Transfer Ban: Obstacle Overcome?
The main concern revolved around the ‘transfer bans’ imposed on Corinthians. FIFA penalized the club for non-payment in past transfers of José Martinez (Philadelphia Union) and Charles (Midtjylland). Simultaneously, the CBF imposed a sanction through the National Chamber for Dispute Resolution (CNRD) due to payment delays. Despite these impediments, the understanding among sports law experts and the CBF itself is that, since Memphis Depay was already registered in Brazilian football with Corinthians, the renewal of his contract does not require a new registration protocol in the Daily Information Bulletin (BID). This simplifies the process and dispels the threat of a new block on the player’s registration.
Bureaucracy and Million-Dollar Contract
Corinthians‘ board is committed to expediting all bureaucratic procedures. In addition to the publication of the new contract in the BID, the extension of Memphis Depay‘s work visa in Brazil, which expires on August 22nd, is crucial. Omar Stabile, a figure linked to the club, expressed optimism, stating that “Everything indicates yes. There is no problem at all”, regarding Depay‘s availability for the Libertadores. Financially, the new agreement is substantial: a total value of R$ 135 million, encompassing the outstanding debt and the future contract, plus bonuses. The attacker accepted a R$ 21 million discount on the original debt of R$ 75 million, and the remaining R$ 54 million will be paid in four installments, with the first payment due in January.
Impact and Upcoming Challenges
Memphis Depay‘s last match for Corinthians was in the 2-0 defeat against Platense, still in the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana, before he joined the Dutch national team for the World Cup. With 79 games, 20 goals, and 15 assists since 2024, his experience and quality will be crucial for Timão. His return comes at a key moment, with Corinthians facing Rosario Central in the round of 16 of the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The first leg ended 0-0, and the decisive match will be at the Neo Química Arena next Thursday (August 20th), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), with exclusive broadcast on the premium tier of Disney+.
Corinthians’ Upcoming Matches
- Rosario Central (Home) – 08/20, 9:30 PM (Brasília time) – CONMEBOL Libertadores (Broadcast: Disney+)
- Coritiba (Away) – 08/23, 7:30 PM (Brasília time) – Brazilian Serie A
- Santos (Home) – 08/30, 4:00 PM (Brasília time) – Brazilian Serie A
