Corinthians set new priorities after first signings to complete squad

In partnership with

Central do Timão

·11 de janeiro de 2026

Corinthians set new priorities after first signings to complete squad

By Léo Rodrigues and Daniel Keppler / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The first week of 2026 was eventful for Corinthians football, with the lifting of two transfer bans the club was facing from FIFA and CNRD, and the signing of the first two reinforcements of this window: defender Gabriel Paulista, a free signing, and midfielder Matheus Pereira, who joins from Fortaleza on loan with an option to buy. Both are expected to be announced in the coming days by the Alvinegro.

Now, the club is seeking new options in the market to complete the squad, aiming for a season that promises to be long, with four competitions. The main priority of the football department at this moment is the signing of a right-back, to provide Dorival Júnior with a reliable option to the starter Matheuzinho. One name being monitored is Natanael from Atlético-MG, but no talks have been initiated with the Minas Gerais club so far.

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Additionally, the Central do Timão has also learned that the Alvinegro is looking for another name for the midfield, with Flamengo's midfielder Allan being the most interesting prospect. However, the negotiation is considered complex, as the player is a priority for a rival club in São Paulo and is seen as a piece that Flamengo could use in market maneuvers.

The search for another midfielder is accompanied by an analysis from the technical committee regarding Matheus Pereira. In Dorival Júnior's view, the player should perform at Corinthians in a role similar to Maycon, who left the club for Atlético-MG, thus replacing a loss in the starting lineup that ended the 2025 season with the Copa do Brasil title.

Finally, the attack will also be a target for the Alvinegro, aiming primarily to bring in two players who operate on the wings – a gap identified by the technical committee in the squad. All these signings, however, must be made within the current financial reality of the squad, following the philosophy outlined by football executive Marcelo Paz during his presentation this week.

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