Corinthians enter transfer window with ban still active | OneFootball

The Brazilian football transfer window officially opened this Monday (20). The signing period runs until September 11, and clubs in Série A and Série B can register domestic and international signings arriving from abroad, in line with the European summer window. Corinthians’ situation, however, is complicated.

The São Paulo club begins the window still unable to register new players. The club currently has three transfer bans, two imposed by FIFA and one by the CBF. The first punishment took effect on May 21, after Timão failed to settle a debt related to the signing of defensive midfielder José Martínez, who was transferred from Philadelphia Union of the United States.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel / Agência Corinthians

The transfer took place before the player’s contract termination with Corinthians, at the beginning of this year. In September 2025, FIFA ordered the club to pay US$1.425 million, an amount equivalent to approximately R$7.3 million at the current exchange rate. Corinthians appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the financial issue has still not been resolved. The debt is also subject to 15% annual interest.

The second punishment imposed by FIFA came last week and is of a different nature. This time, the ban was the result of a disciplinary fine of US$225,000, about R$1.158 million, applied for failure to comply with decisions related to three deals. The cases involve the signing of José Martínez, the acquisition of defensive midfielder Charles from Midtjylland of Denmark, and the loan of Talles Magno, who was sent by New York City FC of the United States in 2025.

The third transfer ban was imposed by the CBF last Saturday. The measure prevents Corinthians from registering new players for six months and is related to a delay in payment of the fifth installment of the agreement signed with creditors at the National Chamber for Dispute Resolution (CNRD).

In addition to the three punishments already in force, the club could still face another ban. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Corinthians must pay more than R$6 million to Midtjylland for breaching the terms of the deal involving Charles. The midfielder’s transfer was completed in the second half of 2024, during Augusto Melo’s administration, and the debt has still not been settled by the club.

Search for reinforcements

Even though it is barred from registering new players because of the transfer bans, Corinthians continues working to strengthen the squad. The deal closest to a conclusion involves Wesley, a forward developed in the club’s youth academy who currently plays for Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia.

Talks progressed to the point that Corinthians reached an agreement with the player. In addition, the black-and-white club’s board worked to have the Saudi club cover most of the costs related to the deal involving the 22-year-old forward.

The next step is precisely to free the club to register new players. For that reason, the board continues trying to overturn the current punishments, with the goal of making it possible to announce Wesley as the club’s first signing of the window.

Another name on Corinthians’ radar is Arthur Melo, a midfielder who belongs to Juventus. Fernando Diniz’s desire to have the player has fueled optimism behind the scenes, but the player’s salary demands are still considered a major obstacle to completing the deal.

While the talks remain unresolved, Arthur was used by Luciano Spalletti in Juventus’ friendly against Basel of Switzerland. The match ended in a goalless draw.

Possible departures

Corinthians is also awaiting developments in the market regarding possible transfers involving players from the current squad. André Luiz, a 20-year-old defensive midfielder, is the main name involved in a deal that could bring in a significant amount for the club.

Juventus is expected to officially submit an offer for the player in the coming days. The proposal includes a fixed fee of 18 million euros, approximately R$105 million, in addition to another 4 million euros in performance-related bonuses, an amount equivalent to around R$23.5 million.

The potential sale comes at a time of strong financial need for Corinthians. In its 2026 budget, the club set a goal of raising R$151 million from the sale of players’ economic rights. In addition, the board is working on the need to make sales to help pay the transfer bans that prevent the registration of new players.

Pedro Raul could also leave Parque São Jorge. The center-forward, who has been receiving few opportunities since returning to the club at the beginning of the year, had been linked with Internacional, but the latest information is that the club from Rio Grande do Sul has backed away from the possible signing.

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