Fagner set to stay at Cruzeiro, in talks to end contract with Corinthians | OneFootball

Cruzeiro has reached an agreement for the continued stay of right-back Fagner, who was on loan from Corinthians last season. The defender still has a contract with Timão, but may continue his career at the Minas Gerais club.

Fagner’s contract with Corinthians is valid until the end of 2026. A new loan to Cruzeiro was discussed. However, what is currently on the table is a contract termination with the São Paulo club.

The player is still seeking an agreement with the Alvinegro board to leave Timão before the end of his contract. A final decision has not yet been made, and Raposa is awaiting the outcome of the situation to sign the right-back permanently.

The information was initially reported by Itatiaia and confirmed by Gazeta Esportiva.

(Photo: Jhony Inácio/Cruzeiro)

Fagner is expected to work alongside Tite again, this time at Cruzeiro. The player was coached by the manager at Corinthians and also with the Brazilian National Team.

Wearing Cruzeiro’s shirt, Fagner played 17 matches last season, 14 of them as a starter, and contributed one assist. He alternated positions with William, but suffered a fibula fracture and missed almost the entire remainder of the year.

Corinthians plans to cut costs

On Corinthians’ side, what weighs most in Fagner’s possible departure is the high cost of the player. One of the main plans of Osmar Stabile’s management is to implement a severe cost reduction for 2026. In the budget approved by the Deliberative Council, the club projected to close next year with a surplus of R$ 12 million. The expected operating result is a profit of R$ 320 million.

To achieve this goal, Timão intends to reduce costs with salaries for staff and players, a category in which Fagner is included. According to the budget, expenses with “Personnel,” which includes this type of cost, will be cut by 19%—from R$ 505 million to R$ 410 million annually.

If the parties reach an agreement and Fagner leaves Corinthians, the São Paulo team will be left with only Matheuzinho as a natural right-back, just as happened last season. In 2025, Timão struggled with a shortage in the position and had to improvise players such as Charles, José Martínez, and Félix Torres.

An option for the role could be right-back Renzo Saravia, who is leaving Atlético-MG. The Argentine has been offered to the Alvinegro club, which, led by football executive Marcelo Paz, is evaluating the signing.

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