Memphis was a bench player at the World Cup, went out before the Round of 16 — and Corinthians still has no idea what to do with him
Contract expires July 31. Memphis came off the bench at the World Cup and didn't play against Morocco. Financial crisis and internal politics are stalling renewal talks at Corinthians.
The World Cup did nothing to help Memphis Depay win over Corinthians. The Dutchman came on only as a second-half substitute in all three of the Netherlands' group-stage matches and played no part in their elimination by Morocco in the Round of 16. For those who were already questioning whether the striker was worth the cost, the tournament became one more argument against renewal.
His contract expires on July 31. According to ge, negotiations have reached a decisive point: Memphis has agreed to cuts in both salary and bonuses, but wants a three-year deal running through July 2029. Corinthians have offered two. The club's board has been working with short-term contracts across all recent signings and considers it difficult to budge on that point.
The bigger obstacle, however, is financial. The club is going through a serious crisis and still owes Memphis more than R$ 40 million from his current contract. Part of the board and allied council members believe the cost-benefit equation simply doesn't add up — this year, Memphis played just 14 matches, scored one goal and provided one assist.
On the other side, head coach Fernando Diniz is pushing for him to stay. With Corinthians banned from registering new players due to four transfer bans, keeping Memphis would be a way to strengthen the squad without going to the market. Executive Marcelo Paz has worked to rebuild the relationship with the player's camp and has been feeding the club president with technical data that favors renewal.
Memphis's camp insists, according to ge, that the striker has been training during his holidays in Spain and would be ready to return without needing a physical reconditioning period.
The final word belongs to Osmar Stabile. And no one, on either side, is willing to guess what it will be.
Golmetria's model gives the Netherlands a 3.29% chance of winning the title — a number that reflects a competitive side, but one far from the favorites. Memphis, at 32, may be living through his last World Cup. What he does after it is a question Parque São Jorge needs to answer quickly.