Marcelo Paz: Failed Alisson deal, why Corinthians pulled out

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Central do Timão

·30 janvier 2026

Marcelo Paz: Failed Alisson deal, why Corinthians pulled out

By Mirella Ramos / Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians’ football executive, Marcelo Paz, commented on the behind-the-scenes of the negotiation involving midfielder Alisson, from São Paulo, and explained the reasons that led the alvinegro club to withdraw from the signing. The statements were made during his participation in the Bola da Vez, on ESPN program.

Corinthians’ move began at the request of coach Dorival Júnior. The club started talks with São Paulo and advanced in negotiations for a loan. During the process, Alisson even visited the Dr. Joaquim Grava Training Center, where he got to know the club’s facilities and met some members of the squad, all with the knowledge of São Paulo’s management.

Vidéos OneFootball

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

Despite the initial progress, Corinthians decided not to proceed with the deal on the night of last Monday (26). On the program, Marcelo Paz stated that São Paulo’s financial demands were not, by themselves, the determining factor for backing out, emphasizing that the decision was based on a broader analysis of the operation.

“I want to be very transparent about this. Rui Costa (São Paulo’s football executive) handled things very well, and we also tried to handle things very well here, so much so that the relationship remains very good. The reason Alisson’s arrival did not materialize was due to Corinthians’ financial responsibility,” said Paz.

The executive detailed that the amount mentioned publicly did not reflect all the conditions set in the agreement, which included additional clauses and sporting restrictions.

“The problem is not R$ 1 million. There’s a lot of talk about the R$ 1 million. Corinthians has R$ 1 million, of course it does. But it was R$ 1 million, plus a clause if he played x games, plus a purchase option which was a high value, he couldn’t play against São Paulo, we’d have to pay R$ 2 million if he played against São Paulo, and he couldn’t play in the Paulista Championship anymore,” he explained.

Given the set of demands, Corinthians chose to reassess the feasibility of the signing. Paz also regretted the strain caused during the negotiations and commented on the player’s situation.

“In light of all this, we reconsidered whether it was viable to proceed with the operation, but it was exhausting, it became a soap opera that didn’t need to happen. I feel sorry for Alisson, because he’s a great kid, I spoke with him, with Rui Costa’s authorization, with São Paulo’s authorization. He went to Corinthians’ training center with São Paulo’s knowledge, nothing was hidden, it wasn’t for a medical, it was to get to know the club’s facilities. But Corinthians, out of financial responsibility, understood that it could be something that would burden the club too much,” he concluded.

With Corinthians’ withdrawal, Alisson’s future at São Paulo remains uncertain. The midfielder returned to training with the squad last Wednesday (28), but was the target of protests from fans before the team’s debut in the Brazilian Championship, against Flamengo, at Morumbis.

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