Corinthians turn down two loan bids for Under-20 top scorer | OneFootball

The standout player of Corinthians’ Under-20 squad this season, forward Luiz Fernando has been monitored by both Brazilian and foreign clubs. According to information initially published by TMC, Timãozinho turned down two loan offers for the young player.

The information about the three offers under this type of deal was first reported by Lance! and confirmed by Central do Timão early on Monday afternoon (24). According to TMC, the club from Parque São Jorge rejected a loan offer, with a purchase option, from Karpaty Lviv of Ukraine, as well as another from São Bernardo FC, which plays in Brazil’s Série B. However, according to the report, the offer made by Apoel of Cyprus, under terms similar to those of the Ukrainian club, is still being evaluated.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians

The outlet also reported that the player’s staff is interested in seeing him get his first experience in professional football and, for that reason, a possible loan would be viewed positively. However, Timão was not enthusiastic about those opportunities.

Luiz Fernando is under contract with Corinthians until December 2027 and, as learned by Central do Timão, talks between the parties over a renewal are ongoing. However, the main obstacle at the moment is precisely the player’s salary issue. According to Lance!, the intention is for the player’s future to be defined by the end of this week, since Timão’s Under-20 team will only return to the pitch on September 4 at 3 p.m. (Brasília time), away against São Bento, in the penultimate round of the first phase of the state championship.

The top scorer of the category this season with 18 goals in 34 matches, the 19-year-old forward joined Corinthians at age 12 after spells with CATS from Taboão da Serra and RB Brasil, progressing through all of the club’s youth levels. At Under-17 level, for example, he scored 17 goals in 49 matches — 31 wins, six draws, and 12 losses.

In 2024, when he was only 16, he made his Under-20 debut, at a time when the squad was facing roster-building issues and needed to rely on players from younger age groups. That same year, he was also involved in training sessions with the professional squad under Ramón Díaz and was included in the matchday squad for games against Vitória (A – 2-1) and Cruzeiro (H – 2-1) in that year’s Brasileirão.

Then, in March 2026, he returned to training with the first team, while the side was still managed by Dorival Júnior, who would leave the post a few weeks later. Under Fernando Diniz, he had again been taking part in first-team activities, but in recent weeks he returned to the Under-20 side to feature in Paulista Championship matches.

In 102 Under-20 appearances — 47 wins, 25 draws, and 30 losses — he has scored 32 goals. In 2025, he was also the top scorer for the Filhos do Terrão with 10 goals in 39 matches. With his dribbling ability and pace, Luizinho could be a homegrown option for Fernando Diniz as a quick wide player, since the club is barred by FIFA and the CBF from registering any new signings due to outstanding issues totaling approximately R$22 million with the two entities. In the current squad, only 22-year-old Kaio César has that profile.

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