Corinthians close to signing Zakaria Labyad, final paperwork pending | OneFootball

Corinthians are close to signing Moroccan midfielder Zakaria Labyad, 32, with only visa formalities to resolve. According to Meu Timao, he is expected to join the squad in the coming days once his paperwork is cleared.

Labyad would arrive at Parque São Jorge on a free, a detail welcomed by the board. He has been without a club since leaving China’s Dalian Yingbo at the end of 2025. Talks began last year but stalled during a transfer ban that prevented registrations from August 2025 to January 2026.

Corinthians were also helped by Labyad’s friendship with Memphis Depay. The pair played together at PSV earlier in the last decade.

His career has taken him through the Netherlands, Portugal, England and China. His standout campaign came with Utrecht in 2017/18, when he scored 18 goals and provided nine assists in 39 Dutch league matches.

Dorival Júnior currently leans on Rodrigo Garro and Breno Bidon as chief creators, with 17-year-old Gui Amorim still seeking minutes. The Brazilian transfer window remains open until three March.

The club have already confirmed four arrivals this window, centre-back Gabriel Paulista, full-back Pedro Milans, midfielder Matheus Pereira and forward Kaio César.

Talks continue with left-back Fabrizio Angileri, who featured for the club last season, and midfielder Allan of Flamengo. Goalkeeper João Ricardo of Fortaleza is expected to undergo medicals between March and April to finalise his move.

Source: Meu Timao