Corinthians ‘in talks’ with Zakaria Labyad, former PSV midfielder | OneFootball

Corinthians are negotiating to sign Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad, 32, who is a free agent after leaving Dalian Yingbo at the end of 2025.

Meu Timão first reported the talks, which are progressing. His salary expectations are considered to fit the board’s financial parameters during the club’s crisis.

Labyad came through PSV’s academy, as did Memphis Depay, and the pair played together in 2011/2012. In August 2025 Depay urged him on Instagram to come to Brazil.

He later played for Sporting, FC Utrecht and Ajax before moving to China, where he spent the past two seasons with Dalian Yingbo. He made 25 appearances, six goals and four assists last year, and 31 games, six goals and nine assists in 2024.

Midfield is an area Corinthians are seeking to strengthen this window. They have already signed Matheus Pereira, along with centre-back Gabriel Paulista, forward Kaio César and right-back Pedro Milans.

An attacking midfielder, Labyad would operate in the zone where Rodrigo Garro and Breno Bidon feature.

Source: Globo.com