Memphis Depay defends André’s stay at Corinthians after Milan’s proposal

Dutch striker Memphis Depay publicly spoke out against the transfer of midfielder André to Milan, from Itália, using his social networks to highlight the technical value of the young athlete. The Corinthians number 10’s statement came at a critical moment in the negotiations, after journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the Italian club did not intend to increase the initial financial offer for the player. Memphis emphasized that André is one of the greatest talents he has seen in his professional career and suggested that the São Paulo club should not rush into making an immediate sale for values ​​that do not match the potential of the promise.

The board of directors of Corinthians, led by president Osmar Stabile, decided to withdraw from negotiations with the Italians after an in-depth analysis of the sporting and financial impact of the operation on the current squad. Embora the football executive Marcelo Paz had previously admitted the possibility of leaving, the internal repercussion and support from the squad’s leaders changed the course of the administrative process. The positioning of Memphis Depay reinforced the thesis that the midfielder has a market projection higher than the amount offered by the European club in this March 2026 transfer window.

Information gathered behind the scenes at Parque São Jorge indicates that the club feels legally safe to interrupt the talks, as no official transfer document has been signed by the parties involved. The strategy now focuses on valuing the asset for future competitions, maintaining the backbone of the team that recently won national titles under the command of the current technical committee.

• The Milan proposal reached the mark of 17 million euros for 70% of the economic rights.
• Corinthians would keep 20% of a future sale if the deal had gone through.
• The termination fine for the international market is set at 100 million euros.
• The athlete’s bond with the club is long-lasting, protecting Timão from predatory attacks.

Black and white board prioritizes maintenance of the base’s jewel for the rest of the season

President Osmar Stabile assessed that the departure of André in this context would not represent the best path for the institutional and technical growth of Corinthians in the South American scenario. The decision to keep the midfielder is based on the conviction that performance on the field will attract more robust offers from other European giants later in the year. The manager understands that accepting 17 million euros now would be underestimating a player who has already proven decisive in important championship finals in the Brasil.

The firm stance of the black and white representative also aims to send a message to the foreign market about the club’s new negotiation policy, which seeks to avoid sales due to immediate financial needs. By holding the athlete, the Corinthians demonstrates economic strength to support its stars and maintain the technical competitiveness necessary to compete with the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores. The public support of veteran players like Memphis Depay and the presence of reinforcements like Lingard in the daily life of CT Joaquim Grava help shield young talents from external pressure.

Trajectory from André to Parque São Jorge justifies high valuation in the European market

André joined the youth teams of Corinthians at the age of 10 and went through the entire training cycle until becoming a fundamental part of the main professional squad. Sua ascension was marked by relevant achievements, such as the Campeonato Paulista Sub-17 in 2023 and the prestigious Copa São Paulo of Futebol Júnior at the beginning of 2024.

In 2025, the midfielder consolidated his position among the starters after demonstrating tactical maturity and passing accuracy during specific training with professionals. Ele actively participated in 24 official matches, scoring four goals and distributing assists that were vital in winning Copa from Brasil and Supercopa from Rei against Flamengo. Tamanho performance justifies the barrier clause of R$112 million for the domestic market, protecting the club from direct rivals in Brazilian territory.

André’s early success is the result of continuous investment by the training department, which prioritized the player’s physical and cognitive development from the lowest categories onwards. The recognition of Memphis Depay, an athlete with experience as Barcelona and Manchester United, only confirms what European scouts had already identified in their technical reports. Keeping the player guarantees the coach a rare defensive balance, allowing the offensive sector more freedom to create dangerous plays.

• Conquest of the Copinha in 2024 as captain and technical highlight.
• Protagonism in the victory over Flamengo in the decision of Supercopa of Rei.
• Constant participation in the call-ups of Brazilian youth teams.
• Pass accuracy rate above 90% in classics played in 2026.

Memphis Depay’s stance influences the internal environment and strengthens group unity

The Dutch striker’s intervention on social media was not just seen as a casual comment, but as a gesture of leadership that resonates positively within the black and white locker room. By calling André a “young star”, Memphis boosts his teammate’s morale and signals to the board that the cast wants to compete at a high level with the best resources available. Esse tipo de engajamento de um jogador de renome mundial ajuda a criar uma identidade forte no grupo, unindo atletas experientes e promessas da base em torno de um objetivo comum.

Depay’s statement also serves to calm the fans, who expressed massive discontent on news portals and social networks as soon as the first values ​​of Milan’s proposal were released. The fans’ fear was to lose a midfield pillar for a price considered “negligible” given the figures currently practiced in global football. With the official withdrawal of Corinthians, the climate of tension gave way to a wave of support for the steering wheel’s permanence, reinforcing the bond between the stands and the management of Osmar Stabile.

Financial structure allows the club to refuse investments from foreign clubs

Unlike previous seasons, the 2026 Corinthians presents financial health that makes it possible to reject proposals that do not reach the real market value of its main assets. The increase in revenue from sponsorships, licensing and the box office success of Neo Química Arena created a contingency reserve for times of pressure in the European market. The current management prioritizes sporting returns, understanding that titles generate more dividends in the long term than hasty sales of rising talents.

The calm shown by the legal department in relation to possible retaliation by Milan on Fifa corroborates the club’s administrative organization in this process. Sem signatures on transfer documents, Timão maintains full sovereignty over André’s contract, which remains focused exclusively on training and national calendar commitments. The focus now turns to the renewal of other strategic contracts, aiming to further shield the squad against harassment from clubs looking for low-cost opportunities in América of Sul.

Expectations for the performance of André in the next rounds of Campeonato Brasileiro

With his stay assured, expectations for André’s football grow, as he now carries the seal of public approval of an international star like Memphis Depay. The midfielder should continue as the absolute starter, being responsible for dictating the pace of the game and offering protection to the defensive line in the most demanding clashes of the season. Analistas sports teams point out that another six months of ownership at Brasil could increase their market value beyond 25 million euros in the summer transfer window at Europa.

The player has demonstrated exemplary professionalism by not forcing an exit, maintaining his training routine with the same intensity as before the Italian interest. Essa posture is praised by the technical committee, which sees the young man as an example of conduct for other athletes who are moving up from Sub-20 to the main team. The continuity of André in the squad is seen as the main “reinforcement” for the month of March, guaranteeing tactical stability in a sector where Corinthians used to suffer from excessive turnover in past years.

The scenario for the remainder of 2026 projects an aggressive Corinthians in the entry market and conservative in the exit market, aiming to break the fast of major continental achievements. The presence of André, combined with the talent of Memphis and the experience of new reinforcements, places the club at a level of favoritism in the competitions it competes in. The board continues to monitor the market, but now with the certainty that it has one of the most valuable jewels in Brazilian football protected under its control.