Corinthians gear up for Libertadores, fly to Argentina without Memphis | OneFootball

Corinthians began preparations on Tuesday morning (11) for the clash against Rosario Central in the round of 16 of the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The team will travel to Argentina later today, but Memphis Depay is still unavailable to Fernando Diniz. The situation regarding the Dutchman’s contract renewal remains stalled.

This morning’s activities began with a presentation on the new rules of Brazilian football, held in the Flexform Briefing Room and led by former referee Cláudio Soares. Afterwards, the players did strength work in the gym.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Out on the pitch, the coaching staff first oversaw a possession drill with crosses and finishing. Then, Fernando Diniz conducted a ten-versus-ten tactical session focused specifically on the match against the Argentinians, using the exercise to test some options in the team.

The players who featured for more than 45 minutes in the win over Red Bull Bragantino in the Brazilian Championship left the field after the tactical activity and did recovery work indoors at the training center. The others stayed on the pitch for a small-sided game.

Libertadores knockout stage

Without Memphis, Diniz will have to decide the lineup for Corinthians’ first Libertadores knockout match. The Dutch forward is one of the team’s main attacking references, but he will not travel with the squad to Argentina.

The black-and-white squad will fly to Rosario on Tuesday afternoon (11). On Wednesday (12), Timão will hold its final training session before the match at Newell’s Old Boys’ training center. Corinthians and Rosario Central will face off on Thursday (13) at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Estádio Gigante de Arroyito in the first leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores round of 16.

Will he renew?

Late Monday afternoon (10), during an event at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) about the approval of new rules for the sport in the country, Corinthians executive Marcelo Paz spoke to the press and was once again asked about forward Memphis Depay’s future.

The No. 10’s contract expired on July 31, and the parties currently have an agreement in principle for him to stay. However, Corinthians is still waiting for approval from its sponsors to help pay the player’s wages under the new deal, which is expected to run until December 2028.

It is worth noting that the club from Parque São Jorge has a debt of more than R$40 million related to bonuses for targets achieved under the previous contract. In the new agreement, that amount is expected to be paid in four semiannual installments starting in February 2027. Memphis has already agreed to lower his salary demands and adapt to the club’s financial reality. In recent weeks, both sides have been exchanging different proposals.

In the most recent offer presented by the Dutchman, part of the remuneration would be tied to commercial initiatives developed in partnership with Corinthians. The proposal also includes performance bonuses lower than those set in the previous contract. It is also worth noting that, even with three active transfer bans — two from FIFA and one from the CBF — Corinthians can register the player’s new contract, since it is not a new signing but rather an extension of his current deal.

“He’s still not playing because his contract has not yet been renewed. It’s quite advanced, but it’s a complex contract that involves many issues. There is a debt, there are commercial matters, there is the contract itself. And Corinthians is being very careful to make it a secure contract, legally sound, so that his possible stay — which I believe in and hope happens — can be very safe for the club. I won’t go into the terms, because that gets into negotiation details and strategy.”

“I’m dealing with this naturally. The football department wants this resolved as soon as possible. We need Memphis on the pitch, properly registered, but we understand that there is a legal and technical process that must be decided, and we respect that. We in the football department hope that, as soon as possible, he can be available to help us on the field,” he said.

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