Corinthians end window without signings, still hit by 3 transfer bans | OneFootball

The transfer window came to an end this Friday (11) without Corinthians making any signings. Unlike the other 19 teams in Brazil’s Série A, the black-and-white club went through the entire registration period without being able to add a new player to Fernando Diniz’s squad.

The main obstacle behind the lack of movement was the sanctions preventing Corinthians from registering players. During the period, the club came to accumulate penalties imposed by FIFA and the National Chamber for Dispute Resolution (CNRD) of the CBF. One of them was resolved, but three transfer bans remain active, involving approximately R$ 21.9 million in debts.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

This makes 2026 a rare case in Timão’s recent history. Considering the period since FIFA made international transfer windows mandatory in 2002, this is only the third time Corinthians have gone through an entire window without announcing reinforcements.

Transfer bans blocked market activity

Corinthians began the window, which opened on July 20, already under pressure to resolve financial issues in order to register players again. Unable to lift all restrictions before the deadline, the board ended the period without offering Fernando Diniz any new options.

The market limitations come at a delicate financial moment at Parque São Jorge. The club’s total debt is estimated at approximately R$ 2.7 billion, while there are also pending obligations related to the squad, including salaries, image rights, vacation pay, and bonuses.

The situation forced the coaching staff to work exclusively with the options already at the club. The problem became even more significant with injuries and call-ups throughout the season, reducing the available choices in certain areas.

Diniz has even been trying to recover players who had less space in the squad in order to broaden the team’s options during the final stretch of the year. Names such as Charles, Matheus Pereira, and Pedro Raul have started receiving opportunities amid the need to find internal solutions.

Corinthians were the exception among Série A clubs

While Timão remained unable to sign players, every other club competing in Brazil’s top division announced at least one reinforcement since the window opened.

As a result, Corinthians closed the period as the only Série A team without a new signing. The situation contrasts with the start of 2026, when the club had carried out a broader squad overhaul.

In the first window of the year, Gabriel Paulista, Matheus Pereira, Pedro Milans, Kaio César, Allan, Zakaria Labyad, and Jesse Lingard arrived. This time, however, the board was unable to make any incoming move at all.

This has happened only two other times since 2002

The current scenario has only two precedents at Corinthians since FIFA adopted international transfer windows. The first happened in the second half of 2017. At the time, the club was in a very different sporting reality from the current one. With Fábio Carille in charge and leading the Brazilian Championship, the board chose not to make major investments in midseason. The squad maintained its level and ended that year with the national title.

The situation happened again in the first half of 2021, during the start of Duilio Monteiro Alves’ administration. With debt nearing R$ 1 billion, Corinthians adopted cost-cutting measures and prioritized reducing the wage bill.

In the following window that same year, the strategy changed completely. The club went into the market and brought in players such as Giuliano, Renato Augusto, Róger Guedes, and Willian.

Five years later, Corinthians once again complete a transfer period without reinforcements. This time, in addition to the financial difficulties, the sanctions preventing player registrations were decisive.

Sales also fell short of expectations

If arrivals were blocked, departures also failed to provide the financial return Corinthians had initially projected. The budget forecast approximately R$ 149 million in revenue from negotiations involving players’ federal rights during the mid-year window, a target that was not met.

Among the players who drew market interest was André Luiz. Corinthians received a €12 million offer from Nottingham Forest of England, but rejected the approach. Olympiacos of Greece also submitted a €10 million proposal, which did not progress. The midfielder’s representative indicated that he would remain at the club until the end of the season.

Breno Bidon was also on the European radar. Beşiktaş of Turkey showed interest and even signaled a bid of €18 million, approximately R$ 107 million, but talks ended without an agreement.

With the window now closed, Fernando Diniz will have to guide the rest of the season with the group currently available. Corinthians are still competing in the Brazilian Championship and are in the Libertadores quarterfinals, where they will decide a place in the semifinals against Estudiantes next Wednesday (16) at the Neo Química Arena.

Before that continental clash, Timão face Flamengo this Sunday (13) at 5:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, in the 27th round of the Brasileirão.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.