Debt clouds Memphis Depay’s Corinthians future with two months left on deal | OneFootball

Memphis Depay’s Corinthians future is in the balance, with exactly two months left on his September 2024 deal.

According to Globo.com, the club are trying to settle about R$ 40 million owed to the Dutchman while seeking firms to fund an extension. People close to Depay say he wants to stay to fight for the Conmebol Libertadores and could ease payment terms, with talks expected in the coming weeks.

A renewal is complex, as the debt covers unpaid signing-on instalments and bonuses tied to goal involvements and to team titles in the Campeonato Paulista, Copa do Brasil and Supercopa Rei. Club and player agreed to address the arrears only after a settlement with Talleres over Rodrigo Garro, a dispute that could bring a FIFA transfer ban.

President Osmar Stabile has consulted commercial partners about covering Depay’s salary, but talks have not advanced. Without external backing, the club say they cannot keep him, even if he waives perks such as private security, luxury hotels and first-class flights to Europe.

Depay is rehabbing a grade 2 injury in his right thigh and has not played since 22 March against Flamengo. A training error aggravated it and scuppered a planned 12 April return, with a new target of 30 April against Peñarol in the Libertadores.

He has 77 appearances, 20 goals and 15 assists for Corinthians, winning the Campeonato Paulista, Copa do Brasil and Supercopa Rei. This season is his poorest, with 12 games for one goal and one assist, plus a costly missed penalty in the Palmeiras derby.

Source: Globo.com