Corinthians and Atlético-MG await Maycon after matching three-year offers to Shakhtar DonetskBy Carolina Costa
5 min read
![]() |
The future of midfielder Maycon has become one of the main focuses of dispute in the Brazilian transfer market. Corinthians and Atlético-MG presented identical proposals to Shakhtar Donetsk, from
The negotiation took on new contours after Corinthians adjusted its initial offer, which provided for a shorter bond. Pressionado Due to the strong competition from the Minas Gerais team, the São Paulo club acted quickly to equalize terms and remain competitive in the dispute for the midfielder, who was a fundamental player and captain of the team on several occasions last season.
Shakhtar Donetsk, in turn, accepted the business model proposed by both interested parties. The Ukrainian club agrees to release Maycon without immediate transfer costs, but on the condition of maintaining 50% of the player’s economic rights. Essa strategy aims to guarantee a financial participation in a possible future sale, protecting the asset even in the face of the adverse scenario caused by the war in the country.
The twist in the Corinthians proposal
Initially, conversations between Corinthians and Shakhtar Donetsk hit a significant roadblock. The black and white board had formalized a contract proposal lasting just two seasons, a period considered insufficient by the Ukrainian club. The refusal was immediate, as Shakhtar has a policy of prioritizing longer contracts for its athletes, a way of preserving market value and increasing the potential for financial return in future negotiations. Além Furthermore, the shorter proposal did not offer the desired stability for the player and the institution that holds his rights. Essa initial divergence put Atlético-MG in an advantageous position, forcing Corinthians to reevaluate its strategy and act quickly to avoid losing one of its main players. The change to a three-year contract was not just a contractual adjustment, but a strategic move to demonstrate the strong interest in the athlete’s stay and neutralize the Minas Gerais rival’s offensive, placing the final decision in the hands of Maycon himself.
The strategic interest of Atlético-MG
The entry of Atlético-MG into the dispute for The proposal presented, with a three-year contract and competitive salaries, was structured to be irrefutable for both the player and Shakhtar, equaling the conditions that Corinthians could offer and establishing a new level for negotiation. The club sees in Maycon not only a reinforcement for the position of first midfielder, but a versatile player, capable of performing multiple tactical functions and adding immediate value to the starting team.
For the Galo sports project, hiring an athlete with the history of The movement in the market demonstrates the financial strength and planning of the Minas Gerais club, which did not hesitate to enter into a direct dispute with a rival from São Paulo for a high-caliber player. The competition created by Atlético-MG was the main catalyst for the acceleration of definitions, showing that the club is prepared to invest in key pieces for its squad.
Conditions imposed by Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar Donetsk’s position in the negotiation has been clear and pragmatic from the beginning. Afetado due to the war in Ucrânia, the club seeks creative solutions to manage its squad and protect its financial assets.
The main condition for the release of Maycon was the maintenance of 50% of its economic rights. Isso ensures that the Ukrainian club continues to participate in any future profit generated by a new player transfer.
Furthermore, the requirement for a three-year contract reflects the strategy of guaranteeing stability for the athlete and, at the same time, valuing him in the South American market. A longer contract increases the chances of consistent performance, which could attract interest from other clubs in the future.
Recent performance and leadership on the field
The importance of Maycon to Corinthians last season is evidenced by his numbers and his attitude on the field. The midfielder was one of the most regular athletes on the squad, participating in 43 matches throughout the year.
His contribution was not limited to marking and passing the ball. The player also demonstrated quality when attacking, scoring three goals and providing an important assist for the team.
Acting mainly as the first midfielder, his ability to organize and read the game was fundamental to the team’s tactical balance. In several games, he assumed the role of captain, playing a technical leadership role and guiding his younger teammates.
The Corinthians board recognizes that his stay is vital to maintain the backbone of the team that won important titles, such as the Campeonato Paulista and the Copa of the Brasil, consolidating him as a top priority in this transfer window.
The trajectory of Maycon and its connection with Timão
The story of Maycon is deeply linked to Corinthians, the club where he was revealed in the youth categories. Ele estreou como profissional em 2016 e rapidamente se firmou, sendo peça-chave no time campeão brasileiro de 2017 e nos títulos paulistas de 2017 e 2018. Sua identificação com a torcida e o clube foi construída com atuações seguras e uma forte identidade com a camisa alvinegra.
Its first stint ended in 2018, with the sale to Shakhtar Donetsk for approximately 6 million euros. The return to Corinthians occurred in 2022, through successive loans made possible by FIFA rules after the start of the war in Ucrânia. Desde then, he resumed his leading role in the team, making a total of 247 games for the club.
Next chapters of negotiation
With the proposals of Corinthians and Atlético-MG officially on the table and aligned with the expectations of Shakhtar Donetsk, the definition of the future of Maycon has entered its final phase. The decision now rests on the player’s personal analysis, which will consider the sporting projects, financial conditions and the work environment offered by each club.
The expectation is that an official announcement will take place in the coming days, as both Brazilian clubs are in a hurry to integrate the reinforcement into the squad that has already started the pre-season. The transfer window requires agility, and resolving this impasse is crucial for planning Corinthians and Atlético-MG for 2026.
Details of the link with the Ukrainian club
Maycon has a valid contract with Shakhtar Donetsk until December 2027. However, the contract is suspended due to a FIFA ruling that allows players from Ukrainian and Russian clubs to unilaterally pause their contracts due to conflicts in the region. It is this measure that has made it possible for the midfielder to receive consecutive loans to Corinthians since 2022, and which now paves the way for a new transfer, with a long-term contract at Brasil.

