Marcelo Paz: wages and bans top Corinthians priorities, Memphis update | OneFootball

On the night of this Thursday (20), Corinthians hosted Rosario Central of Argentina at Neo Química Arena for the second leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores round of 16. Timão won 1-0, with a goal from midfielder Breno Bidon, and secured qualification for the quarterfinals of the continental competition, where they will face Estudiantes, also from Argentina.

Before the match, Corinthians executive football director Marcelo Paz gave an interview to ESPN Brasil and addressed the club’s financial situation, the possibilities of movement in the transfer window, and Memphis Depay’s recent stay.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians

Asked about the work done to adapt the No. 10’s situation to Corinthians’ financial reality and the board’s next steps, the executive admitted that the club still does not know whether it will be able to sign new players in this window. According to Paz, paying salaries and resolving the transfer bans come before any potential reinforcements on the priority list.

“Well, without a doubt, keeping him is something very good for the Football Department. Especially because we do not know if we will be able to sign players in this window. That is the reality. Corinthians’ financial priority is to pay salaries, then pay transfer bans, then maybe sign players. But then there may not be enough time before the twelfth. We have to be transparent, it is a very big effort by the president, really very big, and by the club’s financial department to make all of this possible and move it forward, but maybe our biggest signing was Memphis staying; his staying helps a lot.”

Marcelo Paz also explained the strategy adopted by the football department to build the squad throughout the season. The executive mentioned the seven signings made by Corinthians and said the work has been focused on reducing costs without giving up the group’s quality.

“What we in the football department have to keep doing, which is what we have done since the beginning of the year until we got here, is to try to build a squad at the lowest possible cost, but with quality. We made 7 signings, all of them without transfer fees, shorter contracts, salaries within the club’s reality, and Memphis’ stay itself was also much more in line with the club’s reality.”

Finally, the executive linked the measures adopted in football to Corinthians’ pursuit of greater financial sustainability. Paz also highlighted the importance of sporting results in helping this process.

“These are steps being taken toward financial sustainability. And when the team delivers on the field, when the ball delivers, when it wins games, advances in competitions, all of this creates a virtuous cycle, and that is what we have to deliver in every game, in every stage of the journey.”

On the field, the victory over Rosario Central ensured Corinthians’ continuation in the Libertadores. After overcoming the Argentine opponent in the round of 16, Alvinegro will now face Estudiantes in the fight for a place in the competition’s semifinals.

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