Corinthians ‘to terminate’ José Martínez contract after late return and ACL injury | OneFootball

Corinthians have moved towards parting company with José Martínez after talks over an amicable termination.

ESPN first reported that the club and the midfielder’s camp have agreed terms for a settlement, which has not yet been signed.

Under the arrangement, Corinthians will fund surgery on the Venezuelan’s left knee to repair an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and pay 30% of his wages from February to December 2026, excluding January.

In return, Martínez will forgo his 2027 salaries. His contract is due to expire on 31 December next year.

An initial proposal for Corinthians to cover all of 2026 wages was on the table, but the club rejected it.

The parties moved towards a negotiated exit after Martínez reported back 35 days late and with a serious knee problem, leaving his continuation viewed as unsustainable.

The board considered a dismissal for just cause, then concluded there was no legal basis and chose to negotiate.

Owing to his prolonged absence, the club do not know when the ACL rupture occurred. It was detected only in tests last Monday, after he reported back the previous Saturday. The squad had returned to training on the third of January.

Source: Globo.com