Back from loan, duo face uncertain future at Corinthians

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Central do Timão

·03 de janeiro de 2026

Back from loan, duo face uncertain future at Corinthians

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The midfielder Alex Santana, who belongs to Corinthians and was loaned to Grêmio since mid-2025, will not be present at the Corinthians squad's return this Saturday (3). The information was initially released by Itatiaia Esporte. Additionally, according to the report, the athlete was informed that he will start training separately from next Monday (5).

According to the portal, Alex Santana's representatives have received some inquiries from other teams in recent weeks. His contract with the Alvinegro ends in December 2027. During his loan period at Grêmio, he played only 10 games (five as a starter), without scoring goals or providing assists.

Vídeos OneFootball

Montage: Central do Timão

Photos: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians and Stephan Eilert/Ceará SC

Despite the lack of prospects at Corinthians, Itatiaia learned that the midfielder will prioritize reclaiming his space at Parque São Jorge. A childhood Corinthians fan, the player has a good relationship with coach Dorival Júnior and believes it is possible to get playing time in the current Alvinegro squad.

A source close to the player was asked about the next steps and told Itatiaia: “Now it's about giving time to time.” Alex Santana was signed by Corinthians from Athletico-PR in the mid-2024 transfer window for R$ 12 million. The number 80 was part of the state championship-winning squad of 2025, against Palmeiras, and played an important role in the team's surge in the 2024 Brasileirão – from the relegation zone to the preliminary phase of the Libertadores.

The midfielder lost his place at Corinthians after the arrival of Dorival Júnior, in late April, and ended up being loaned to Grêmio until the end of this season. The team from Rio Grande do Sul, however, chose not to exercise the purchase option. With the Corinthians jersey, he has scored two goals in 37 matches (17 as a starter).

It is worth remembering that Corinthians is currently unable to register players due to a FIFA punishment – transfer ban – related to a R$ 40 million debt with Santos Laguna, from Mexico, for the signing of defender Félix Torres in January 2024. The punishment has been in effect since August 12, and the Alvinegro is seeking to settle this debt by the end of this month.

Pedro Raul

After standing out during a one-season loan at Ceará in 2025, where he scored 17 goals and provided two assists in 45 matches, forward Pedro Raul will return to Corinthians this Saturday (3) at CT Dr. Joaquim Grava. The information was initially published by Lance!

With a contract until December 2028 with Corinthians, the striker did not have much playing time during his period at Parque São Jorge in 2024. During that time, the team was managed by Mano Menezes, Antônio Oliveira, and Ramón Díaz. His stay at Alvinegro will depend on an evaluation by coach Dorival Júnior.

Media outlets from Rio Grande do Sul report that Internacional is one of the teams interested in signing the player for the 2026 season. With the Corinthians jersey, he has scored four goals and provided two assists in 39 matches (14 as a starter). He was part of the squad responsible for the surge in the 2024 Brasileirão, moving from the relegation zone to securing a spot in the Pre-Libertadores and Copa do Brasil.

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