Corinthians eye return for midfielder raised at Terrão

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Central do Timão

·29 January 2026

Corinthians eye return for midfielder raised at Terrão

By Henrique Vigliotti / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians remains active in the market, searching for the signings requested by coach Dorival Júnior. After the 2-1 defeat to Bahia in the opening match of the Brazilian Championship, the coach stated in a press conference that he still needs at least six reinforcements to consider the squad minimally “ideal”, in his own words.

In this context, information initially released by ESPN and confirmed by Central do Timão is that Corinthians is monitoring the situation of midfielder Luis Mandaca, a product of Terrão and currently at Juventude. With the relegation of the club from Rio Grande do Sul to Serie B, some of the few standouts from last season have been leaving the squad, a scenario that positions Timão as a possible option for the young player’s return.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Ag. Corinthians

An important detail found by Central do Timão through people close to the player is that a return to Corinthians is seen very favorably, as it represents a chance to return to a higher level in his career, in a second spell at the club. Revealed by Terrão, the player played three matches for the professional black-and-white squad: one as a midfielder and two others improvised at right-back. Afterwards, he returned to the under-20s until aging out of the category, later being loaned to Londrina and, subsequently, to Juventude.

In the last season for Jaconero, Mandaca played 41 matches, scored three goals, and provided two assists, being one of the main names of the team from Rio Grande do Sul in their unsuccessful attempt to remain in Serie A of the Brasileirão.

For the role played by Mandaca as a second midfielder, Corinthians even tried to sign Alisson from São Paulo, at the request of Dorival Júnior. However, the negotiation was blocked by the financial department, due to the impossibility of paying R$ 1 million for the loan at a time considered critical and of deep internal restructuring at the club.

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