Corinthians youth striker joins Napoli for millions, club get 1.5%

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Central do Timão

·25 January 2026

Corinthians youth striker joins Napoli for millions, club get 1.5%

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

On the afternoon of last Saturday (24), forward Giovane, who came up through Corinthians' youth system and played for the professional team between April 2022 and April 2025, was announced by Napoli, Italy, just six months after transferring to Hellas Verona, also in Italy, where he scored three goals and provided four assists in 23 matches. Even with the team in second-to-last place, his standout performance was enough to attract the attention of the Italian giant.

Giovane was sold to Napoli for 20 million euros (R$ 124 million at the current exchange rate), signing a five-season contract, with the possibility of extending for two more. The payment for the transfer will be made at the end of the current season, as the deal includes a loan with an option to buy. As the player's training club, Corinthians will receive 1.5% of the total transaction value – FIFA's solidarity mechanism – which, in this case, amounts to R$ 1.5 million.

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Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

Giovane left Corinthians in mid-2025 after not renewing his contract and having already been sidelined from the squad and, consequently, from matches for several months, as he did not wish to extend his contract with the Parque São Jorge club. The 22-year-old, at the time, was also not in the plans of Ramón Díaz and, in turn, coach Dorival Júnior.

It is worth remembering that, in August 2024, Hellas Verona had already submitted an offer to Corinthians of 1 million euros (R$ 6.2 million at the time) for 50% of the player's economic rights. In the negotiation, Corinthians would retain 15% of the player's economic rights, which currently could represent R$ 18 million from the player's sale to Napoli. However, the Corinthians board rejected the offer and, months later, the player left the club for free.

Giovane joined Corinthians at the age of 18 to be part of the U-20 team, initially on loan from Capivariano. After standing out in the 2022 Copa São Paulo, Corinthians bought him outright for R$ 3 million, acquiring 65% of his economic rights. In the same year, in April, the youngster made his debut for the professional team, then coached by Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira.

Giovane, subsequently, did not have many consecutive matches with the first team. In total, he played 48 games (only six as a starter), with 20 wins, 15 draws, and 13 losses – a 52.08% success rate. Additionally, he scored four goals, provided one assist, and was part of the squad that won the 2025 state championship against Palmeiras in Itaquera.

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