The relationship between Corinthians and its main player, Dutch striker Memphis Depay, is going through a period of great instability. A debt accumulated by the club, which already exceeds the R$30 million mark relating to gloves and contractual bonuses, has become the center of an impasse that threatens the athlete’s continuity in the Parque São Jorge. Wear has grown behind the scenes, generating concern among fans and the board itself.
Although monthly commitments, such as salaries and image rights, are being paid on time, delays in payment of performance bonuses have been the main point of friction. The club’s financial situation poses challenges to management, which seeks to balance the books while dealing with the pressure for results on the field. The player’s representatives have already formally expressed their dissatisfaction with the delays and the renegotiation proposals presented so far.
The crisis occurs at a crucial moment of the season, on the eve of the decision of Supercopa of Brasil against Flamengo, scheduled for this Sunday, February 1st. A possible victory in the competition could worsen the situation, as it would add a new bonus of R$4.7 million to the amount owed to the number 10, putting even more pressure on the financial department to find an urgent solution.
Details of the renegotiation proposal
In an attempt to resolve the impasse, the board of directors of Corinthians presented a formal proposal to pay the R$30 million debt in installments, but the offer ended up intensifying the discontent of Memphis Depay’s staff. The plan provided for payment of the amount in three annual installments, with the first being paid in 2026 and the remaining two distributed between 2027 and 2028. Eles argue that the amounts should have already been paid according to the original deadlines and that such a long installment, without robust bank guarantees, represents a risk and harms the attacker’s financial planning. The lack of a more favorable and immediate agreement deepened the crisis, leaving the Dutchman’s future at the club even more uncertain.
The club’s financial austerity policy
The difficulty in paying the amounts owed to Memphis Depay reflects the strict financial austerity policy implemented by the current management of Corinthians. The board has prioritized cost containment to reorganize the club’s finances, which faces structural challenges and the high maintenance costs of its arena. The main goal has been to keep the salaries of the cast and employees up to date, thus avoiding possible actions in labor courts and sanctions from entities such as FIFA.
This strategy, however, has the side effect of postponing payments considered secondary, such as gloves and performance bonuses. The case of the frustrated negotiation with steering wheel Alisson, from São Paulo, was used internally as an example of this stance. At the time, the club backed away from an agreement because it did not agree to the immediate payment of R$1 million, demonstrating that preserving cash flow is the top priority, even if this means losing opportunities to reinforce the squad or generating friction with important athletes.
Surveys from abroad and the risk of an early exit
The financial impasse opened space for speculation about a possible departure for Memphis Depay before the end of his contract. The player’s situation at Corinthians is already drawing the attention of the international market, and sources linked to the athlete confirm the existence of at least two official proposals from foreign clubs.
Although the names of the interested teams are kept confidential so as not to disrupt conversations, it is known that the offers may not match the striker’s current salary at Brasil. Contudo, the guarantee of timely payments and a stable sports project can become decisive factors for the player.
Depay has remained focused on his performance on the field, leaving negotiations and collections to his agents and lawyers. Sua main personal goal is to secure a place in the selection of Holanda for Copa of
The details of the debt and what is at stake
The debt of more than R$30 million with the attacker is made up of different pending issues accumulated since his signing. The amount does not refer to salaries, but to commitments made at the time of signing the contract and goals achieved in previous seasons.
The composition of the debt mainly involves the delay in paying for gloves, which are a type of signing bonus, and awards for performance and titles won during the 2025 season. The situation was worsened by the refusal of the player’s staff to accept a long-term installment plan.
The lack of bank guarantees to meet the new deadlines proposed by the club is also a central point of contention, undermining trust between the parties. The main points of friction include:
- Delay in payment for gloves signed at the time of initial contracting.
- Bonuses for goals achieved during the 2025 competitions not paid.
- Proposal for long-term installments considered unacceptable by businesspeople.
- Lack of bank guarantees to meet the new deadlines suggested by the club.
To increase the tension, the final of Supercopa of Brasil against Flamengo could add R$4.7 million to this account, making the search for a solution even more urgent for the black and white board. The result of Sunday’s game could be decisive not only for the sporting future, but also for the club’s finances.
Technical contribution and idol status
Since arriving at Corinthians in 2024, Memphis Depay has quickly established itself as the team’s main technical reference. Sua quality and leadership were crucial to the achievements of Campeonato Paulista and Copa of Brasil in 2025, where he scored the goal that guaranteed the national title, solidifying his status as an idol among the fans.
His performance in numbers also justifies his importance to the team. In 66 games with the black and white shirt, the Dutch striker accumulated 19 goals and 14 assists, participating directly in decisive plays and being a central figure in the team’s tactical scheme, especially in classics and high-pressure matches.
The future of the contract and the search for partners
With Memphis Depay’s contract ending in mid-2026, the player is already legally authorized to sign a pre-contract with any other club. The Corinthians board recognizes the complexity of a renewal and is already working on the possibility of needing external help to make it possible for the star to remain.
The club’s strategy is to look for a commercial partner or sponsor who can bear part of the costs of a new contract, including salaries and gloves. Sem this financial contribution, the chances of Corinthians presenting a competitive proposal are considered low, increasing apprehension about the future of its main player.
Total focus on the final of Supercopa of Brasil
Despite the crisis behind the scenes, the atmosphere at the training center is one of maximum concentration for the decision against Flamengo. The coaching staff has worked to shield the squad from external issues, ensuring that the focus remains exclusively on preparing for the game in Brasília. Memphis Depay’s presence in the match is confirmed, and he is the fans’ great hope for winning another important title.
