How much is Corinthians' Iago Machado worth, Arsenal and Chelsea keen? | OneFootball

Iago Machado, 17, made his debut for Corinthians’ first team last Sunday in a 2-1 loss to Flamengo in the Brazilian Championship. The center-back started and stayed on the field for more than 90 minutes at the Maracanã.

RTI Esporte Agency has learned that the player is under contract with Corinthians until April 16, 2028. In October 2025, the club signed a contract amendment establishing a release clause of €100 million (R$590.3 million at the current exchange rate).

The international release clause is the main financial benchmark for a possible departure of the black-and-white defender. The amount, however, does not necessarily determine the price of a future transfer, which may be negotiated under different terms.

Arsenal and Chelsea are monitoring the player

Foreign interest in Iago Machado had already been reported before his first-team debut. Chelsea and Arsenal are among the clubs said to be following the center-back’s development and have even sent scouts to watch him.

Other teams from Spain and Italy are also monitoring Iago Machado, who is represented by Giuliano Bertolucci. His exposure grew in 2025, when the center-back played in the Andalusia Tournament for Corinthians’ U-17 team and faced Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Center-back earned his place in the youth ranks

Born in 2009, Iago Machado joined Corinthians as a child to play futsal. He started as a pivot and later moved into the fixed defender role. In the transition to outdoor football, he was used as a center-back.

In 2025, for example, the black-and-white defender stood out for the U-17s and began receiving greater attention in the club’s development process. In 2026, he was named Corinthians’ best player in the São Paulo Junior Football Cup.

His progress through the youth ranks brought Iago Machado closer to the first team. Noticed by Dorival Júnior, the black-and-white center-back began being included in squads by Fernando Diniz and was given his first chance as a starter in the last round of the Brazilian Championship.

Debut came against Flamengo

Iago Machado partnered João Pedro Tchoca in central defense at the Maracanã. According to Sofascore data, the defender recorded 14 defensive actions, won four duels, and made one recovery during the match.

The debut does not change the conditions set out in his contract. The center-back remains tied to Corinthians until April 2028 and continues to be part of the transition process between the youth teams and professional football.

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